SECOND-half strikes from Kallum Higginbotham and Craig Dawson saw Rochdale knock Dagenham and Redbridge off top spot in League Two.

Rochdale were at sixes and sevens in the first half as Dagenham raced out of the blocks and took the lead just three minutes in when Danny Green’s cross was allowed to bounce in the area, Peter Gain seizing on the opportunity at the back post to loop a header past Tom Heaton.

Josh Scott’s long-range effort was pushed over the bar by Heaton and Will Antwi hit the post with a header as Dagenham dominated the first 25 minutes.

Chris Dagnall poked the ball into the net on Rochdale’s first attack of note, only to be ruled offside, but at the break Dale were relieved to have kept the deficit down to a solitary goal.

The game turned on its head with two goals in two minutes. Substitute Kallum Higginbotham drove home the equaliser in the 70th minute and defender Craig Dawson was on hand to give Dale the lead soon after when Tom Kennedy’s corner was clipped to the back post by Dagnall.

Dagenham were reduced to 10 men in time added on when Wesley Thomas went in high on Dagnall.