TORQUAY UNITED may be the most upwardly mobile team in League Two, but they never expected to be looking in that direction so much before subduing struggling Dagenham & Redbridge at Plainmoor on Tuesday night.

"My neck's so stiff I'm off to the chiropractors in the morning," quipped Lee Mansell after the Gulls' skipper's thumping ninth goal of the season had kept his side's headlong pursuit of the promotion chasers going.

"My shooting was absolutely horrific in training yesterday, but I caught that one clean as a whistle.

"We needed that goal in a big way, and it's the first time I've scored at that end, so that's a monkey off my back.

"It was always going to be a tricky game, and we know we didn't play well.

"I was glad for our back-four and Bobby Olejnik – they had to get a clean-sheet in a game like that.

"When they do that, we know we will always create chances."

Mansell's 40th minute decider was by some way the highlight of a forgettable first half.

United started slowly, never found top gear and were a little fortunate to survive several scares from a Daggers side which may be limited but are visibly fighting for their lives.

Kevin Nicholson and Danny Stevens did both go close as United geed themselves up a little before half-time.

But even the build-up to the goal was hardly planned.

Eunan O'Kane's free-kick, from wide on the right, was rolled across the face of the area for Nicholson to hit.

But it was off target and, when Nicholson couldn't get hold of it, thankfully Mansell was following in behind.

His first-time right-foot shot from 18 yards gave Chris Lewington no chance.

Olejnik pulled out his best save of the night in the 64th minute.

Daggers midfielder Michael Spillane struck a 20-yard free-kick round the 'wrong' side of the wall, but Olejnik dived across and tipped the effort round his left-hand post.

United manager Martin Ling, who had recalled leading scorer Rene Howe for Taiwo Atieno up front, reversed that decision in the 69th minute.

He could see that United needed a threat in behind the Dagenham defence and threw on Atieno's extra pace with that in mind.

As the visitors pushed forward with increasing desperation, United did start to catch them on the break near the end.

Stevens forced a good save from Lewington before the best move of the second half, between Ian Morris and O'Kane, slipped Stevens clear in the 85th minute.

His shot from the left was on target but tipped round the far post by Lewington.

Mansell won the sponsors' man-of-the-match award, and he worked hard and led the side forcefully as he always does.

But nobody played better than Mark Ellis, who dominated at the heart of United's defence – he is in a rich vein of form at the moment.

Torquay United (4-1-4-1): Olejnik; Oastler (Rowe-Turner 78), Robertson, Ellis, Nicholson; Lathrope; Morris, Mansell, O'Kane, Stevens; Howe (Atieno 69); subs not used – Saah, Rice (gk), McPhee.

Dagenham & Redbridge (4-3-3): Lewington; Ogogo, Arber, Doe, Ilesanmi; Bingham (Reed 75), Spillane, Abdulla; Nurse, Cunnington, Montano; subs not used – Rose, Wearen, Green.

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Bookings: United – Atieno (kicking ball away 71).

Attendance: 2,280 (39 Daggers fans).

Statistics: Fouls – United 13, Daggers 7; Offsides – United 2, Daggers 3; Corners – United 6, Daggers 9; Shots/Headers On Target – United 5, Daggers 3; Off Target – United 7, Daggers 3; Hit Woodwork – None.