Oxford United bowed out of the FA Youth Cup tonight as Dagenham and Redbridge won 3-0 at Court Place Farm.
It was an even first half but Dagenham had the first effort of the night when defender David Agboola - brother of United’s young goalkeeper Manny - lifted a free kick over the bar after six minutes, although it took a brave challenge from Dagenham keeper Louie Chapman to stop United striker Slavi Spasov from going round him after a precise through ball from Ben Chilcott after 11 minutes.
However, it was the Daggers who found a cutting edge to take the lead on the half hour. United perhaps had chances to clear their lines but were powerless when Luke Hirst picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired it across keeper Max Evans for a very well taken opening goal.
United had been behind in both previous rounds before coming back to win but three minutes into the second half their task became twice as hard when Dylan Florence found a magic, roundabout way to goal when he let fly from 20 yards and the ball ballooned over the stranded Evans via a huge deflection.
Evans kept his side in it with a good save soon after but United rallied as they chased the game and Aaron Heap had a header go close from a corner before sub Ryan Crooks saw a shot cleared off the line by a backtracking defender.
There were yellow cards and flying challenges as it became a true cup tie but Dagenham perhaps had the edge physically, despite plenty of urgency from the Yellows.
With 16 minutes to go it was game over when Florence span in behind the defence and was dragged down by Aaron McCreadie, denying him a goalscoring opportunity and therefore sent off by ref Tom Ellsmore before Florence despatched the penalty, despite Evans getting a hand to the ball.
Credit to Dagenham, who go through to play away at Ipswich Town. The young U's will be disappointed to make their exit but their previous two performances had been hugely enjoyable and there is plenty of potential in this group ,which will learn from tonight and grow stronger.
United: Evans, Carr, McCreadie, Baker, Chilcott, Hopkins (Stevens 58), Cowan, Heap, Lofthouse, Spasov (Crooks 46) , James (Mannings 82)
Att: 233
Report by Chris Williams, pictures by Steve Daniels and Terry Winter