A few weeks ago, David Hunt was saying he was so glad just to have joined a club he feels happy at that he would be content just to sit on the bench, writes Yann Tear.

Such diffidence seems out of place now after the midfielder's major contribution to Saturday's top-of-the-table thriller.

Hunt's corner led to an early opener for Jordan Rhodes and his prowess at set-pieces was further underlined after 22 minutes when a curling freekick whipped towards the far post beat a clutch of defenders to sneak past keeper Stech.

But that was not his only significant input. He has a throwin Rory Delap would admire - and which constantly applied pressure to the visitors - and was involved in the game's major flashpoint when Tommy Doherty saw red for a raised arm at Hunt's head.

That incident midway through the second half allowed the Bees the leeway they needed to recover a 3-2 deficit and salvage a point that increased the like-lihood of the League Two title coming their way.

Such a performance was a blessing for Andy Scott, whose every change in personnel seems to be paying off.

Hunt was drafted in to replace skipper Kevin O'Connor - whose knee ligament injury will keep him out for a further fortnight - and the decision to go with a player only used fitfully as a sub since his arrival from Shrewsbury was vindicated. Gary Smith, who returned to action last week after missing most of the season, was probably thought too fragile to risk.

"I used to take set-pieces at Northampton but not so much at Shrewsbury," Hunt said.

"It was nice to get some good deliveries in. The manager brought me in because players were injured. I wasn't expecting to play straight away but we've had some bad injuries. I'm happy to be at this club and I'll do whatever I'm told.

"Kevin's been influential this season and it's unfair on him because he's one of the players that's helped the team get to the top, I haven't. But if the boss needs me to play, I'll play and whatever the decision, I'll have no problem with it.

"It's just nice to be involved again. It was my first full, competitive 90 minutes in over a year and it meant a lot to me.

"It felt quite emotional scoring because it's been quite an up and down year with injuries and I'm glad to be at a club that feels like home."

As well as Hunt, Scott also enjoyed seeing his other new recruit make a telling appearance. Sam Williams, on loan from Aston Villa, netted a late equaliser after taking on the sub duties from the luckless Nathan Elder.

Elder, we now know will miss the rest of the season after the horrific facial injury picked up at Rotherham. But the FA have confirmed there will be no retrospective punishment for Pablo Mills, whose challenge caused the injury.

Saturday's game was all the better for being unexpectedly chaotic and unpredictable.

The two clubs have built their success this season on disciplined defending and the 0-0 draw between the sides earlier this season reflected that priority. But there was no such caution this time and the match was a fine advert for an often-maligned division.

Match Details BEES (2) 3 WYCOMBE WS (2) 3 Line-up: Hamer; Halls, Phillips, Bennett, Dickson (Johnson h/t); Newton (Sam Williams 68), Bean, Hunt, Wood; MacDonald, Rhodes. Subs not used: Brown, Smith, Osborne. Attendance: 10,642 GOALS: Rhodes (2), Akinde (15), Hunt (22), Mousinho (40),Akinde (49), Sam Williams (81). MoM: Hunt  Next Up

DAGENHAM & Redbridge

Victoria Road Monday 7.45pm League Two

Manager: John Still Position last season: 20th Form Guide: The Daggers have made good progress this season after finishing just above the relegation zone in their first season of league action. A 1-1 draw at Chesterfield at the weekend - thanks to a 90th minute equaliser - left them still just five points adrift of the play-offs. But home form has been modest, with eight wins and seven defeats and four successive home defeats without scoring (v Wycombe, Bournemouth, Lincoln and Morecambe) have severely dented their ambitions. They have scored six twice this season in home games against Chester City and Notts County.

Players to look out for: Former QPR keeper Tony Roberts should be between the sticks again. Up front, the Bees must contend with Ben Strevens but top scorer Paul Benson - 17 goals - has been out with a knee injury since early February.

Most recent meetings: Brentford 2-1 Dagenham (6 Sep 2008); Dagenham 1-2 Brentford (1 Jan 2008); Brentford 2-3 Dagenham (2 Oct 2007) - League Two. Head-to-head record: DR Wins: 1 BEES Wins: 2 Draws: 0 [25a0] Match Facts: This will be only the fourth meeting between the clubs. The Daggers won the first ever meeting last season at Griffin Park, but the Bees gained revenge in New year's day last year thanks to two Glenn Poole goals. Nathan Elder and Charlie MacDonald were on target when the Bees won 2-1 at Griffin Park earlier this season. Sam Saunders netted for the visitors.

Forecast: A point would be fine, but expect the confident Bees to march on by claiming their ninth away win of the season.

Gazette forecast success rate: 27 out of 42 (64 per cent)