Daggers Desperate To Keep The Flag Flying In The FA Cup

Caretaker boss Lewis, 35, is the younger brother of 39-year-old Everton full-back Ashley who was hoping he and his son could create some history on Thursday night.

But while Ashley helped beat Tyler's side Peterborough United, the teenager didn’t get on - denying them the chance to enter the record books as the first father and son to face-off in the competition’s 153-year history.

Young replaced Ben Strevens, who paid the price for the club’s inconsistent National League form weeks before tonight’s trip to Millwall.

They head to the Championship club backed by 1,500 supporters and those who watched their team overturn the odds at League Two promotion hunters AFC Wimbledon and Crewe Alexandra travel with no fear.

“We’ve had some fantastic family memories from football,” Lewis said. “I was at the FA Cup semi-final and final last year with my son, and we’re Manchester United fans so to celebrate that together was brilliant.

“Looking back further, seeing Ashley winning it and back in the day celebrating around the house like Ryan Giggs, it has really lovely memories but I’m trying to create my own with Dagenham.”

Young is still holding the fort but fancies the job on a full-time basis, knowing full well that FA Cup success later could really increase his chances.

They are the last National League club standing after Tamworth heroically took Tottenham to extra-time on Sunday.

“I’ve held the position before at my previous club as an interim and I’m champing at the bit to be able to now go and put my stamp on things and the leader and chief of the ship,” Young said.

“At the moment, I’m just taking it day by day and seeing how it goes. I just try to put an imprint of who I am as a person onto everyone around me. If that’s good, great. If it’s not enough, then there’s more learning for me to do.”

He provided some injury updates - and it’s good news, conveniently!

“I think a few people have miraculously recovered because it’s an FA Cup game,” he said. “It’s what happens when you’re competing and performing."

Dagenham's route to the third round

Fourth Qualifying Round - Leiston 1-5 Daggers
The Daggers battled torrential conditions in Suffolk to progress to the first round as three late goals firmed up their battling performance against Leiston.

Josh Umerah got the rout underway after eight minutes to send them in ahead at the break. Harley Curtis levelled up just after the hour mark for the hosts before the National League side took control late on.

Umerah bagged a second after 76 minutes with Josh Rees extended the Daggers' lead with nine minutes left on the clock. Two further goals were struck courtesy of Ryan Hill and Shiloh Remy in stoppage time.

First Round - Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Daggers
Away from home again for the Daggers but that did not dent their FA Cup hopes as they dumped League Two Crewe out of the competition.

Dion Pereira hit the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after 73 minutes to make amends for a few misses earlier in the game.

Second Round - AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Daggers
A place in round three was booked for the first time since 2015 as the Daggers continued their fine run with their biggest upset yet - matching the League Two Dons blow-for-blow at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Junior Morias got the National League side ahead with a 25-yard strike before Matty Stevens bundled home a leveller eight minutes into first-half stoppage time.

With 11 minutes left on the clock, the deciding moment arrived in the form of a Josh Rees goal. Ryan Hill's corner wasn't dealt with effectively, allowing Rees to sweep the ball home to ensure the Daggers were on the march to the third round.