How each player got on in Wednesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash

Player ratings

Stevenage

Chris Day: Good to see the Boro stalwart back in the team following Jesse Joronen’s call-up by Finland. Had little chance with either goal as neat passing by Chambers and Cureton – then vice versa – threaded the ball through the defence in front of him for both strikes. 6

Mark Hughes: The solid centre-half is a great organiser who always holds the line well, but will be disappointed at the ease the Daggers played their way through for both goals. Good anticipation in clearing off the line late on. Should his vast experience see him adopt more of a leadership role? 5.5

Steven Schumacher: Experienced head - which is what Boro need more of at the moment - but should he have offered more guidance and passion? 5

Brett Williams: Early shot on the turn showed promise. Always enthusiastic in chasing down the ball but perhaps betrayed a lack of confidence when pulling his shot wide early in the second half when well placed. 5

Dean Parrett: Honest worker nearly rewarded with a goal after a powerful drive that was well parried by keeper O’Brien. Booked. Subbed for Whelpdale early in the second half. 5.5

Dean Wells: Committed. Good organiser, but was he pulled out of shape by sharp passing for both goals? 5.5

Ronnie Henry: I interviewed him after the devastating late loss at Cambridge and was impressed with his passion and honesty. Real shame he had to go off on 19 minutes. n/a

Jamar Loza: Quick but well-marshalled by Arsenal defender Gunner Hoyte when attacking down the right flank. Lacked composure which will come with experience. Subbed late on for Hitchcock. 5.5

Connor Ogilvie: Showed a lack of experience in his positioning at times but will have benefitted from the run-out. Committed. 5

Tom Conlon: Good attitude, not afraid to do the dirty work, but, equally, showed good technique and a willingness to drive forward. Teddy Sheringham told me he has a big future in the game, and most judges would find it hard to disagree. 7

Ben Kennedy: Good to see the wideman with chalk on his boots tonight, but also, not afraid to think for himself and come inside – or even swap flanks. Great touch and technique, needs a run of games to build up match fitness but looked reassuringly confident as he slotted his penalty home. They say Wayne Rooney is the last of the ‘street footballers’ – not true - as this lad lives for the game. As he told me afterwards he had very little formal coaching as a youngster - and is all the better for it in the view of this observer. Massive prospect. 7

Subs:

Fraser Franks: The former Luton Town player has showed glimpses of real promise this season, and has integrated into the squad well. Will not have enjoyed coming on so early at the expense of his unfortunate team mate Henry - even if he looked as composed as he normally does. 6

Chris Whelpdale: On for Parrett. Battled gamely. 5.5

Tom Hitchcock: On for Loza. Not enough time to make an impression.

Dagenham and Redbridge

Liam O’Brien: Showed good reflexes, most notably when saving from a powerful Parrett shot. Strong in the air coupled with safe handing, although his distribution could have been better. 6

Josh Passley: Energetic display from the powerful but nippy right back who relished the heat of the battle. 6.5

Nyron Nosworthy: The former Sunderland man relished the physicality of the battle with Boro’s forward line and showed his experience. 6

Clevid Dikamona: Vocal. Strapping centre-half who organised his colleagues well. Good in the air. Subbed at half time. 6

Jamie Cureton: A joy to watch a player who genuinely loves and respects the game of football. Along with Day another 40-year-old playing - but you wouldn’t have guessed it, such was his enthusiasm and energy expanded through his well-timed runs between the lines, which weren’t always noted by teammates. Lovely finish for his goal after neat interplay with Chambers - and returned the favour for the visitors second. Deserved his ovation as he was subbed late on. The game of football will be poorer when he retires – although on this evidence there’s no danger of that just yet. 8

Ashley Chambers: Grew into the game as his clever through-ball for Cureton to score the opener was a prelude to his emphatic finish for the Daggers second minutes later. 7.5

Jodi Jones: Fired off a low shot Day did well to parry prompting the East Terrace to sing: ‘That’s why he’s number one’ in a bid to persuade Sheringham to restore the Boro stalwart as first choice keeper. 6.5

Frankie Raymond: A little over-ambitious in his distribution but otherwise neat and tidy. 6

Ashley Hemmings: Would have liked to have been more involved in the game but looked good when on the ball. Rare for him to cede possession. 6

Kane Ferdinand: Flattered to deceive and failed to make much of an impression. 5

Justin Hoyte: The former Arsenal and England U21 defender showed all the composure and technique you would expect from a graduate of the famed Gunners academy. 7

Subs

Christian Doidge: On for the old warhorse Cureton on 81 minutes. n/a

Jake Mulraney: A couple of decent runs after coming off the bench, including a low shot at goal. 6

Ayo Obileye: On for Dikamona at half time. 6