Cambridge United 4
Dagenham & Redbridge 2
(Nationwide Conference)

THE mental and physical fatigue from their title-winning efforts caught up with Dagenham on Monday, but the party atmosphere was still visible with visiting fans doing the Conga in the stands.

Still buzzing after Saturday's promotion, the visitors got off to a fantastic start as top scorer Paul Benson bagged a brace inside 11 minutes.

Sam Saunders floated a free-kick into the box in the eighth minute and the former White Ensign striker was there to head home his 27th goal of the season.

He scored his 28th on 11 minutes, slotting Chris Moore's cross from the left into the bottom corner of the net.

But Cambridge, scrapping to avoid relegation, pulled a goal back through Mark Peters on 24 minutes and Robbie Simpson's superb curling shot levelled the scores on 32 minutes.

Courtney Pitt made it 3-2 to the hosts with a drilled shot before the break.

Jake Leberl should have equalised for the visitors immediately after half-time but his header from Saunders' cross was just over the bar.

And Robert Wolleaston wrapped up the points for Cambridge with terrific shot from Daniel Brown's free-kick on 54 minutes.