Phil Parkinson believes that home advantage for the play-offs will be crucial for Wrexham after they missed out on automatic promotion from the National League to League Two with defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge.
A three-goal collapse at Victoria Road gave Wrexham their heaviest defeat of the season ahead of a semi-final against the winners of either Grimsby or Notts County.
It was a lackluster performance by the North Wales side that became most noticeable when Stockport took the lead against Halifax, but Parkinson wanted his team to take full advantage of finishing second.
Dagenham emphatically snuffed out Wrexham’s hopes of automatic promotion to League Two
Wrexham fans arrived in London knowing a win and a Stockport loss would give them a chance
Wrexham began the day three points behind Stockport, who occupied the only automatic promotion spot and had a superior goal difference to their nearest rivals.
Parkinson said: ‘Today wasn’t our day but we’ve got some big games coming up now. The lads have showed so much effort and commitment throughout this season.
‘Being at the Racecourse will be absolutely crucial for us – we’re guaranteed that second place.
‘The way the play-offs are structured, it’s important to finish second or third. It’s not what we wanted but it’s the next best option.
The Daggers cut Wrexham’s optimism to ribbons by scoring three without reply after the break
Paul McCallum (right) had threatened to score before he netted the home side’s second goal
‘It was a tough day for us; we weren’t at our best. Dagenham played really well today. Stockport’s second goal filtering around the place knocked the wind out of our sails.
‘As much as you don’t want that to happen, it is understandable. These lads have come a long way.’
Victory for Dagenham was no less than they deserved in soggy conditions, although Chesterfield drawing against Woking denied the Daggers a play-off spot.
The first effort came after 15 minutes when Wrexham goalkeeper Christian Dibble had to pull off a save from Brandon Comley.
Reece Hall-Johnson (left) and Wrexham held out for 55 minutes but will settle for the play-offs
An eventful and impressive regular campaign came to a painful end for the visiting supporters
With news of Stockport beating Halifax, the hosts continued to dominate, although Paul Mullin dragged wide for Wrexham.
Matt Robinson delivered across the face of goal but nobody for Dagenham was able to connect.
Paul McCallum headed wide before Dibble denied the forward just before the break.
Robinson saw his effort just before half-time turned away in a half when the home side could have easily gone ahead.
Manager Phil Parkinson saw Wrexham’s four-match unbeaten run end as they finished second
Junior Morias (right) opened the scoring for Dagenham, who missed out on a play-off position
Wrexham nearly took the lead five minutes after the break when Elliot Justham tipped over an Ollie Palmer drive.
However, Dagenham finally got the breakthrough they deserved on 55 minutes. Robinson found Junior Morias in space, and the Jamaican fired past Dibble.
It could have got even worse for Wrexham moments later, when Myles Weston curled his effort wide.
Any lingering hopes of the visitors claiming automatic promotion were ended 10 minutes from time.
McCallum and Dagenham’s superiority was academic to Wrexham because of Stockport’s win
Grimsby or Notts County await Wrexham in their bid to prevail in the National League play-offs
A deep cross from Myles Weston found the head of McCallum, who directed past Dibble – sending fans in Stockport into delight as much as those in East London.
The goalscorer nearly added a second five minutes from time, when he controlled the ball in the area, but he directed his shot well over the crossbar.
A fine Dagenham display was rounded off before added time when Robinson finished with aplomb to end their season on a high in eighth place – and ensure Wrexham’s campaign would be extended.
The first effort at the Chigwell Construction Stadium came after 15 minutes when Wrexham goalkeeper Christian Dibble had to pull off a save from Brandon Comley.
Dagenham manager Daryl McMahon rates goalkeeper Elliot Justham as the best in the division
McMahon also praised former West Ham development player McCallum, labelling him ‘terrific’
With news of league leaders Stockport beating Halifax, the hosts continued to dominate, although Paul Mullin dragged wide for Wrexham.
Matt Robinson delivered across the face of goal, but nobody for Dagenham was able to connect.
Paul McCallum headed wide before Dibble denied the forward just before the break.
Dagenham manager Daryl McMahon said ‘We have the best goalkeeper in the league.
Wrexham suffered as their opponents signed off by giving their fans a comprehensive victory
‘I have to say, we were relentless, the way we played with confidence and belief in each other.
‘McCallum has been terrific for us since he’s come in.
‘Our fans were excellent today, they were absolutely superb. We hoped they would come out and enjoy themselves today.’