A DISPUTED second-half penalty and some desperate late defending by Dagenham meant Town had to make do with a third successive draw.

The returning Tom Clarke sparked hopes of victory on Town’s first visit to the East London club with a first-half opener.

But Danny Green levelled from the spot in the 58th minute and all Town’s efforts to restore their lead were repelled.

In the tight confines of Victoria Road – a homely ground which shows its non-league roots – Town were, as expected, without Gary Naysmith because of the calf injury picked up in Saturday’s draw at Bournemouth.

But boss Lee Clark was forced to deal with the late withdrawal of Jamie McCombe through illness, and with natural replacement Antony Kay starting a two-match ban, chose to play versatile Lee Peltier at centre-back, with Kevin Kilbane on his left.

In addition, there was a surprise full debut for 19-year-old Chris Atkinson alongside Tom Clarke and Joey Gudjonsson in midfield, while Danny Cadamarteri made the starting side for the first time since his return to Town, with Alan Lee dropping to the bench.

Dagenham received a pre-match boost as they moved off the bottom of League I after crisis club Plymouth’s 10-point deduction was confirmed.

It was a battle between two veteran keepers, with 39-year-old Ian Bennett, a former Dagenham loan player, trying to outdo ex-Wales international Tony Roberts, 41.

Roberts was the first in action, saving Tom Clarke’s early long-range drive, but Dagenham responded strongly, and were denied a strong-looking penalty shout for handball by Gudjonsson in the third minute.

A corner was given instead, and Tom Clarke cleared Romain Vincelot’s header.