County secured their first opening day victory in seven seasons as they looked to avenge the final day misery at Darlington when they narrowly missed out on the play-offs

The Hatters included new signings Conrad Logan, Jamie Smith, Paul Tierney, Gary Dicker and Matty McNeil in their starting eleven. Chris Adamson and Dominic Blizzard, had to settle for a place on the bench.

The first chance of the game fell to the feet of Adam Griffin who launched a powerful low shot to the left of the goal that the veteran Tony Roberts did well to save.

Moments later McNeil headed a ball down for Anthony Elding who found David Poole in space, the popular number seven ran in on goal but his volley went agonisingly wide.

It was all County and talisman Elding was next to come close to scoring when he was fed a long ball from Jason Taylor. The normally deadly striker's shot was too weak as it trickled past the far post.

At the other end Logan had to be at this best to deny Paul Benson when he went to ground and used his body to trap the ball.

Moments later Gareth Owen headed a Dagenham free kick clear to keep the score level.

Jason Taylor, as commanding as ever, delivered a wonderful left wing cross into the box that Jon Boardman did well to head wide.

The game started to open up but it was certainly County that were well on top and McNeil went close with a good turn and powerful first time volley that Roberts did well to stop.

Tony Roberts pulled off a spectacular save to deny Poole's powerful volley from inside the area, following a good pass from Elding.

Second half

Elding had another chance soon after the break when he burst into the box, but last seasons leading scorer wasted a good chance when he shot right at the keeper.

County thought they had scored when Taylor powered Elding's cross home from close range but the referee ruled it out as offside.

Elding went close again when Poole played him into space, but the terrific Roberts matched the effort and the score remained level.

Elding was nearly the maker when he crossed to Poole from the left but Boardman headed the chance clear.

At the other end Sam Saunders right wing effort just glanced the cross bar, in what was a rare effort on their part.

There was some controversy 15 minutes before the end when Roberts was booked for fouling Proudlock on the edge of the area. Taylor's 18-yard effort from the resulting free kick never looked like troubling Dagenham, however.

County had a couple of opportunities to clinch the three points as the game dragged on, Elding went close again before Liam Dickinson's run into the box was only let down by poor finishing when his shot glanced across the face of goal.

Dickinson, though, was the hero in trademark style with a goal just five minutes from the end when he smashed the ball home from just a few yards out. It was just what County deserved.