City's faint play-off hopes effectively died with defeat at Dagenham.

Three second-half goals condemned Stuart McCall's side to another demoralising away defeat as they surely waved goodbye to any hope of a top-seven finish.

Peter Thorne and Chris Brandon both had great chances to head City in front before half-time. At the other end, Paul Arnison blocked Peter Gain's thunderbolt on the line.

Thorne had a header ruled out soon after the break before Dagenham fired the first blow after 58 minutes. Sam Saunders crashed home a fine goal but, with Graeme Lee hampered by a hip injury, he was given too much room.

Matt Ritchie hit the bar a minute later before Lee Bullock looped a header against the Dagenham post.

But Dagenham sealed victory when Paul Benson grabbed his 20th goal of the season with eight minutes left.

And there was still time for Ben Strevens to seize on a mix-up between sub Mark Bower and Rhys Evans to make it three.

Mathematics may say otherwise but City's season now realistically looks over. And the question of whether Stuart McCall will carry out his threat to quit will begin.