Ben Strevens conceded that a 'really bad goal’ was the reason as to why Dagenham & Redbridge struggled to a 1-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

After a long trip to Greater Manchester, Mike Fondop-Talum’s 20th-minute strike was enough to see the Latics over the line, before Jake Hessenthaler saw red late on as Daggers suffered a fifth National League defeat of the season.

“It’s disappointing to lose the game. We knew it would be a hard game coming in, and everything we thought it would be, it was,” Strevens told the club website.

“Unfortunately for us, we’ve given away a really bad goal in the first half.

“In the second half, where we tried to get back into the game, a moment has gone against us.

"I’ll have to watch that back again. I’m feeling full of emotion with what happened on the day, and I’m disappointed with it,” he said, on Hessenthaler’s second-half red card.

“Until I see it back again, I’ll just have to see how it is. I really hope it’s not a red card so we can get it rescinded and he (Hessenthaler) can be available for next week, but if he’s not, we’re just going to have to live with it.

“The boys kept going right until the end and tried their hardest, but it just wasn’t to be.”

Attentions now turn to the Daggers’ FA Cup campaign and a trip to Crewe this weekend after beating Leiston in the fourth qualifying round just over a fortnight ago, leaving Strevens with food for thought over his selection choices this weekend.

“We’re looking forward to it. The FA Cup is the best competition in the world,” added the Dagenham manager.

“I’m looking forward to it, but I’m disappointed we haven’t got a league game after this (Oldham) to try and put it right. To try to win a game in the National League, we’ll have to wait for that in a couple of weeks’ time.

"We can’t wait for the day. We want to be in the second round, so we’ll go there and know it’s going to be a difficult team to play against.

“They’re a league above with good players, but we’ve just got to go there and believe we can beat then and hopefully be in the draw."

Strevens also thanked the fans for making the long trip from East London to Greater Manchester, who will no doubt continue to show their support for a similar journey this weekend.

“I’m always thankful. They’re fantastic, the ones who follow us home and away," he said.

“They really get behind the boys and stayed at the end, clapping all the boys. I hope themselves and even more numbers will be able to be there next week to support the boys.

"I know how much it’s appreciated, and they’ll be going home feeling the exact same way we are right now - really disappointed we haven’t taken anything from the game.

“Hopefully they’ll be back next week to cheer us on in the FA Cup.”