A storming second-half effort could not save City from defeat at Dagenham this afternoon.

Nahki Wells scored twice and there was also a goal for sub Alan Connell as Phil Parkinson’s men threw everything at the hosts.

But the damage had been done after they had trailed 3-0 and their ferocious fightback came up just short.

City’s problems began early and they found themselves down in the sixth minute.

John McLaughlin saved well from Sam Williams on a Dagenham counter-attack but he had no chance with the rebound as Billy Bingham hammered it home from 15 yards.

The visitors could not keep hold of the ball while the Daggers were lively and threatening. A poor clearing header from Zavon Hines, in the City side for the injured Kyel Reid, dropped to Luke Howell who drove across goal.

But Dagenham’s control of the half was rewarded with a second on the half hour. Medy Elito powered past Andrew Davies on the right wing and Sam Williams stepped over his low cross to allow Michael Spillane to finish from close range.

City marginally improved for a few minutes after the goal but there was still nothing to worry Daggers keeper Chris Lewington.

And they nearly went in 3-0 down as Bingham’s curler just eluded the far post in added time.

Connell replaced Hines for the second half and City were close to pulling one back straight away as James Hanson just failed to get a touch on Wells’ volley across goal.

City’s comeback hopes looked finished when Luke Wilkinson headed in unmarked from a corner.

But Wells responded with a superb 25-yard free-kick over the wall four minutes later.

It was the spark City needed and they slashed the gap to 3-2 within five minutes with a Wells penalty after Lewington caught Connell in the face. Wells thought he had another penalty from a challenge by Wilkinson and Connell sent an angled shot over the bar as the Bantams pushed for an equaliser.

But then Dwight Gayle broke away from the halfway line and kept his composure to make it 4-2 with 14 minutes left.

Andrew Davies was denied by a goalline clearance for the second game running. But City managed to hit back once again, the excellent Connell forcing home after Nathan Doyle’s long throw-in caused panic.

They finished the game with five up front including Davies, who headed on to the top of the net. But Dagenham just about hung on to claim a breathless victory.