Defeat at Tamworth gave Dagenham & Redbridge boss Ben Strevens plenty to think about after his side surrendered a lead to lose 2-1 in the National League.

Harry Phipps opened the scoring after half an hour, but Tamworth forward Dan Creaney’s second-half double condemned the away side to another defeat on the road.

“The second half completely went the opposite of how we wanted it to go,” a disappointed Strevens told the club website.

“In the first half, for the most part, the boys did what we were trying to get them to do. We had some good opportunities, and we scored. We had other moments. I know they did as well, but we lost control (in the second half).

“The first goal went in, and it really shook us to the core. There were lots of angry faces that we had to go and face at the end.

"I’ve said it to the players, but I have to be the person who accepts it. I have to be the person who accepts the criticism, because ultimately, they’re trying to do their best and do what I’ve been asking them to do."

The players were met by disgruntled supporters at full-time having blown a lead in a game which they had full control of for the first 45 minutes, and Strevens delivered an apology to the travelling fans.

“I completely get the anger at the end of the game. I get it from all the fans,” he added.

“A few people said ‘Don’t apologise for it' but I have to for the people that have spent their hard-earned money to get here. For the people that are watching at home on a stream.

"Even if people don’t want me to, I have to apologise for it. Especially the second half and the defeat.

“We had words inside the dressing room and spoke about it. I’ve come out here still full of emotion and anger from talking about the day, but it’s how we lost the game, and that’s on me more than any of the players.”

Strevens will be hoping for a quick reaction when Daggers host Aldershot Town on Tuesday, ahead of their FA Cup second-round tie at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, which is being shown live on ITV at 7.15pm.

Nottingham Forest U21s visit in the National League Cup on Tuesday (7.30pm).