Dagenham & Redbridge will seek a fifth win from six National League matches during the visit of Torquay United on Monday afternoon.

The hosts ran out 2-1 winners away to Wealdstone last time out, while the Gulls played out a 1-1 draw with Maidenhead United at the weekend.

Match preview

The playoff dream is still very much alive for this in-form Dagenham & Redbridge side, who returned to winning ways at an ideal time with a 2-1 success away to Wealdstone on Saturday afternoon.

Josh Umerah gave the home crowd something to cheer in second-half stoppage time, but Daryl McMahon's side had already struck through Junior Morias and Emmanuel Onariase to ensure that they would remain on the coat-tails of the National League's top six.

With none of Chesterfield, Grimsby Town or Notts County winning at the weekend, Dagenham & Redbridge now find themselves just four points off the top seven in eighth place, and they have now taken 14 points from 18 on offer in the division since the start of the month.

A tally of 76 goals also represents the best scoring record out of the top six by far - only Wrexham and Stockport County have amassed more in the fifth tier this season - and claiming just a second win from six in all tournaments at home is a must if they are to remain in the playoff picture.

In contrast, Torquay will be forced to accept a top-half finish at best after an underwhelming three-game streak killed their hopes of a shot at the playoffs, with the Gulls most recently just about rescuing a point against Maidenhead United on home soil.

Gary Johnson's side were on the brink of defeat after Sam Barratt's 56th-minute opener, but as the game entered its final knockings, Joe Lewis restored parity for Torquay to ensure that his side would avoid a pair of momentum-killing back-to-back losses.

However, two points taken from the last nine on offer leaves the Gulls 11th in the rankings with only four games left to play in the 2021-22 season, which certainly comes as a bitter disappointment following their four-game winning streak earlier in the spring.

Torquay seldom lose in the fifth tier, though - suffering a mere two defeats from their last 15 in league action, but they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Dagenham & Redbridge in front of their own fans earlier in the season.

Team News

Dagenham did not pick up any fresh injury concerns in the victory over Wealdstone, but a 48-hour turnaround will inevitably lead to some alterations on both ends as the managers work around fatigued legs.

Morias lasted just over an hour at the weekend and could therefore be fine to line up from the off here, while Mohammed Sagaf, Yoan Zouma and Josh Walker could all provide some much-needed freshness.

As far as Torquay are concerned, left-back Daniel Martin was forced off with an injury of an unspecified nature in the draw with Maidenhead, so Johnson will hope to have Dean Moxey fit and available to deputise.

Chiori Johnson was fit enough to return as a substitute at the weekend, but the visitors are still without the services of Dan Holman, although fellow striker Klaidi Lolos is there to take the weight off 37-year-old Danny Wright's shoulders.

Keelan O'Connell and Opi Edwards could also benefit from some rotation on the Torquay end, but Tom Lapslie and Asa Hall may be forced to man the midfield from the off once more.

Dagenham & Redbridge possible starting lineup:
Justham; Hare, Zouma, Onariase, Johnson; Vilhete, Scott, Comley, Weston; Morias, Walker

Torquay United possible starting lineup:
MacDonald; Johnson, Omar, Lewis, Moxley; Lapslie, Hall; O'Connell, Duke-McKenna, Edwards; Lolos

We say: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Torquay United

A multitude of alterations and tired legs will certainly come into play at Victoria Road, but the hosts are on an upward trajectory while the Gulls slump to mid-table obscurity.

McMahon's side have been far from consistent at home in recent weeks, but with the wind in their sails and a playoff spot still a possibility, we expect the hosts to come up trumps in this one.

Previews by email