Dagenham 2 Gillingham 0

Gillingham slipped to their first defeat in seven games after losing to near neighbours Dagenham on Friday.

Mark Stimson�s Gillingham side conceded goals early in each half with Ben Strevens opening the scoring and League 2 hot-shot Paul Benson netting after the break.

The defeat saw Gillingham slip three places to eleventh in League 2 and table-toppers Wycombe are up next on Sunday at Priestfield.

Dagenham went ahead inside the first minute when Benson played in Strevens and he fired past Alan Julian into the bottom corner.

Home keeper Tony Roberts had to save from Albert Jarrett and towards the end of the half Andy Barcham shot well wide.

The second-half started little better than the first as Dagenham struck again, this time Benson netted to put the hosts two goals ahead.

Defender Simon King had an effort on goal, but it went over the bar while at the other end Julian had to be alert to save Solomon Taiwo�s free-kick.

Gary Mulligan, who came on as a late substitute for Simeon Jackson, shot wide and Dagenham goalscorer Benson also missed.

�It was a terrible way to start the game,� said Gillingham manager Mark Stimson.

�We kicked off and were trying to keep the ball but gave it away, conceded a goal and then we had a mountain to climb.�

�The away support turned out in their numbers once again and they deserve much better than that.

�We were nowhere near it, we didn�t have nearly enough chances or shots and that is most disappointing.�

�The players have been told in no uncertain terms that they need to improve.�

Gills: Julian, Nutter, Southall, King, Richards, Weston (Lewis 69mins), Bentley, Jarrett (Oli 53mins), Barcham, Miller, Jackson (Mulligan 82mins). Subs not used: Royce, Mills.