And skipper Jake Buxton was shown his third red card of the season on what was possibly his last appearance for the club.

Stags had sold 1,400 tickets for what had looked to be a crucial relegation decider until last week.

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But, with everything already decided, only 1,023 of them bothered to make the long journey to East London as part of the Daggers' record League crowd of 3,451.

And those that stayed away probably made a good decision on a sunny afternoon as two Daggers goal inside four minutes early in the second half settled a turgid game.

Ben Strevens made the breakthrough on 50 minutes and, after last man Buxton was dismissed for pulling Paul Benson's shirt as he bore down on goal two minutes later, the impressive Benson netting the penalty as Buxton trudged off for an early shower.

It was a miserable end to a miserable season with many of the Mansfield side probably making farewell appearances as Stags prepare for non-League football.

For the home side it was a party afternoon after securing their own League future last weekend with that unexpected comeback at Darlington.

Stags made wholesale changes for the game. With 25-goal Mickey Bouding ill and Alex John-Baptiste, John Mullins, Gareth Jelleyman all injured, Jon D'Laryea dropped and Jefferson Louis leaving the club, the starting line-up showed five changes.

In came Lee Bell for his first game since 16th February when he was injured at Darlington. Chris Wood, Simon Brown, Dan Martin and Rory Boulding were all given starts too.

Wood partnered Jake Buxton in central defence with Martin at left back while Arnold and Boulding were the strikers with Brown left midfield.

Daggers almost drew first blood as early as the fourth minute from Saunders' left wing corner. Benson met it with a goal bound header. But Bell was on the line and managed to head it up against the bar and out.

Soon after Benson threatened again, directing his angled header just wide of the far post after stealing in between the central defenders.

Stags cleared a second home corner back to Saunders who launched it long to the far post where Arber, from a narrow angle, headed straight at White.

Taiwo almost slipped Benson into space in the box, but Wood did well to wrestle the ball from him, despite falling over and having to stretch out a leg.

After 10 minutes of home pressure Stags finally got hold of the bal and Brown did well down the left before miscuing his cross.

A first Stags corner followed which was eventually gathered by Roberts above the head of Brown.

On 19 minutes Hamshaw tore down the centre with a meaningful run that ended with him rifling just over from 18 yards.

A long Sloma free kick from the left saw Boardman nod just over the Mansfield crossbar in the Daggers' next raid.

Home keeper Roberts had a bottle thrown at him from the Stags fans while trying to take a goal kick. He reacted well and picked it up and took a sip out of it while looking back at the fans, but the referee went across and then spoke to his fourth official. So, doubtless, there could be repercussions for the Stags over the incident.

When play resumed Strevens was only just over with a 20 yard lob. Then Martin had to redeem himself with a tackle on Saunders after his loose backpass had given the ball away.

On 29 minutes Arber should have made the breakthrough after Saunders picked him out with a long cross. But, with White at his mercy, he headed over.

Two minutes later Arnold, being policed by both home centre halves, managed to turn well in the box 12 yards from goal but fired over.

White had to save a deflected Benson shot on 39 minutes after Wood had stumbled in trying to defend a long punt forward from Taiwo.

A minute later a long White kick downfield bounced twice and just wide of the home goal, providing the huge away following with one of the few bright moments of a largely dull half of football.

Dagenham again came desperately close four minutes into the second half. Benson was on the floor looking for a free kick against Wood. But he was up quickly as the ball broke to Saunders and raced to the far post to reach the cross and guide a volley wide of White but against the post.

Stags cleared for a corner and the home side finally went ahead from that.

Slomas sent it over from the right and Strevens met it with a header that flew high into the top left corner.

Suddenly the afternoon quickly went downhill and two minutes later Benson got goalside of Buxton and in on White. The keeper did well to save his finish with his legs. But Stags skipper Buxton was spotted tugging at Benson's shirt as he tried to get clear and he was shown an immediate red card.

It was a sad end to the season and possibly his Mansfield carer as he walked slowly off.

Benson was given his chance to net from the spot and took it in emphatic fashion with a powerful blast down the centre on 53 minutes.

Goward came on for Martin and Bell took over the captain's armband and centre back spot for the sinking Stags.

Soon after Benson almost doubled his tally as he cut in from the left and curled one round White but just wide of the far post.

On 57 minutes Dagenham withdrew Sloma and Huke to give a run out to Rainford and Green while Stags put debut-making youngster Burrell into midfield in place of Arnold, Boulding left alone up front.

Daggers were in party mood now and Rainford headed inches wide while Benson out-muscled Bell but, with the angle closing, he rolled the ball across the face of goal too hard for anyone to get there quickly enough.

Stags threw another youngster into the action on 66 as Trimmer replaced Boulding up front.

Stags had another let off on 69 minutes as White had to turn away Saunders' cross-cum-shot, Benson turned it back across goal and Wood cleared off the line as Strevens tried to finish.

Then Bell produced a great block as Green tried to find a finish seconds later.

White was called on to make a smart save from Boardman's header from Daggers' fifth corner.

Stags had one their better chances as Briggs got up well to meet a Hamshaw free kick but was over the top with his header.

White again did well to gather Green's powerful low near post cross as he was buffeted by Saunders who was high and wide from 18 yards moments after.

Seven minutes from time White was there again to get just enough of a fingertip onto Strevens' vicious dipping shot after he was set up by Benson. The keeper spilled the ensuing corner but the ball was cleared.

The two Stags youngsters combined on 85 minutes as Burrell picked out the run of Trimmer and he fired across the face of goal and out beyond the far post.

Strevens shot over on the turn in stoppage time for Dagenham.

Despite the misery of the 90 minutes and the previous nine months, the Mansfield supporters gave their side a hearty reception at the end as they said a sad but noisy farewell to some of the players and a 77-year League history.

DAGENHAM: Roberts, Sloma (Green 57), Boardman, Huke (Rainford 57), Saunders (Goodwin 88), Griffiths, Benson, Strevens, Taiwo, Gain, Arber. Subs: Southam, Nurse.

STAGS: White, Bell, Hamshaw, Dawson, Brown, Buxton, Martin (Goward 50), Arnold (Burrell 57), Wood, Briggs, R. Boulding (Trimmer 66). Subs: D'Laryea, Kitchen.

REFEREE: Stuart Attwell of Warwickshire.