Then penalty drama. Bothroyd was felled in the box, he got up to take the spot kick and it was terrible. His arrogant saunter to the ball got the just reward, a penalty save. But he was reprieved when the referee ordered a re-take because of encroachment.
Michael Chopra decided it was his turn after Bothroyd's poor effort but Bothroyd was having none of it and we witnessed the two players scrapping over the ball like it was a junior school playground. Bothroyd eventually took the kick after skipper Mark Hudson had a word. His second effort was a million time better and City were 2 - 0 up. Bothroyd celebrated, Chopra sulked back to the halfway line. Quite incredible.
2nd half City, who had a bench made up entirely of unheard of youngsters, played some pretty football but their failure to put the game beyond doubt allowed Dagenham a way back in. With 9 mins to go it was 2 - 1 and City were under a bit of pressure. They overcame that though a quality crisp finish from Peter Whittingham in injury time completed the win.
City's squad was at full stretch for the match with 13 first teamers out through international call ups and injury. A senior XI started the game but all 7 subs were kids.
The subs bench was:
45 Jordan Santiago
28 Aaron Wildig
48 Kye Edwards
51 Zak Evans
49 Jonathan Meades
52 Nathaniel Jarvis
59 Ibrahim Farah
The failure to put the game to bed early on meant only one sub, Wildig, was used for Comminges.
The draw for round 2 takes place on Wednesday night after the remaining round 1 matches. There were some 1st round shocks as Championship sides Sheff Utd, Plymouth and Derby all fell to lower league opposition.