Hartlepool United FC 0 : 2 Dagenham and Redbridge - Daggers up and running

Goals from Luke Howell and Abu Ogogo earned Dagenham a first Sky Bet League Two win of the season as Hartlepool fell to a 2-0 defeat.

In a meeting of teams without a point to their name, it was the visitors who took the spoils in smash-and-grab fashion.

Dagenham got off to the dream start as goalkeeper Scott Flinders failed to keep out a Howell effort that took a wicked deflection off Darren Holden.

Pools responded with plenty of endeavour and twice almost levelled, Jonathan Franks missing the target on both occasions.

That set a frustrating tone as Brad Walker headed over before Luke James - starting despite handing in a transfer request on Monday amid rumoured interest from Peterborough - was denied by the onrushing Liam O'Brien.

Hartlepool continued to surge forward after the interval, Michael Woods rounding O'Brien and somehow failing to pick out James with the pull-back.

James saw a 20-yard effort tipped over soon after, and Pools were left to rue their profligacy when Jamie Cureton squared for Ogogo to slide home.

Franks and Neil Austin did almost pull a goal back, but Hartlepool were forced to accept their campaign beginning with four successive losses.