Goal:

1-0: Franks (75, Deverdics played him in and, as the keeper raced off his line, a lovely lob dropped into the net from 20 yards out)

Booking: Pennell (63, foul)

Referee: Thomas Bramall (Sheffield): Started clueless, stepped up to hapless, and then settled down a little 3

Attendance: 3,366

Entertainment: 4/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):

8 Loach: Magnificent again. Repelled the Daggers on his own when they got in on goal, making four vital and superb saves;

7 Magnay: Captain who is relishing the responsibility, always looking for the ball and stood up as a defender should

7 Ledger: Had a tough time against Ferrier, but stood up to the task and his block to stop a shot in injury time was vital

8 Watson: Defends like he enjoys it and means it. Doesn’t try and be clever, just defends – like a good defender should

7 Deverdics: Set up the only goal with a deft pass and has proved more than a capable stand-in at left-back, in offering something different;

7 Hawkins: Two games in a row he’s stood out and improved. Full of running and energy which is key in this system and midfield unit

7 Featherstone: Safe, assured and always an option in the middle of the park – no coincidence Pools have improved since he returned from injury

8 Woods: When he plays well, Pools play well. Sets the tempo in the middle as he tackles, challenges and makes things happen;

5 Rodney: Poor first hour as he struggled to get in the game, and came to the fore before he was taken off

6 Simpson: Up against two more astute centre-halves this week compared to last and found it a bit tougher

7 Franks: Three goals in three games, he’s much improved on the player who left Pools two years ago. Took his goal superbly.

Subs:

Oates (for Simpson 56): Put himself about a bit up top 6

Donaldson (for Rodney 67): Offered a couple of breaks on the counter attack 5

Donnelly (for Deverdics 84)

(not used): Munns, Newton.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (4-2-3-1): Cousins 5; Ling 6, Lokko 7, Robson 6, Pennell 6 (Nunn 72); Robinson 6, Boucaud 7; Howells 7, Whitley 6 (Adams 67, 5), Okenabirhe 5 (Romaine 74); FERRIER 8. Subs: Justham, N’Gala.

MAN OF THE MATCH Scott Loach – Pools had to grind out this win, and keeper Loach kept out the opposition from the off.