IT perhaps came as no surprise that 13-goal Daggers striker Oliver Hawkins was the sharpest striker on the pitch during his side’s 2-0 win at York City.

Home boss Gary Mills was certainly aware of the ex-Hemel Hempstead part-timer’s potency, having seen Hawkins dismantle his Wrexham team with a first-half hat-trick earlier this term.

Always one to devote a greater focus on his own team, though, Mills will be more concerned about addressing the Minstermen’s lack of a cutting edge during a contest in which they managed more than double the shots on target mustered by Dagenham.

But the aerial prowess of Hawkins, as he scored a header and then used his height to tee up a second goal for Luke Guttridge, provided a timely lift for the high-flying visitors as they secured a first win in five matches.

City, meanwhile, are now without a victory in 14 fixtures – the longest sequence of any side in England’s top five divisions and one greater than Rotherham, who are cut off 11 points from safety at the foot of the Championship.

Rookie Robbie McDaid endured a difficult afternoon on his home debut, as the ex-Leeds reserve forward failed to convert a succession of chances.

Just two games into his City career, though, judgement must be reserved on the 20-year-old Irishman who, at least, displayed the determination to get himself into goalscoring positions.

The same level of patience is unlikely to be afforded to fellow striker Scott Fenwick following another toothless display that saw him hauled off before the hour.

Other than a 90th-minute tap-in during the 4-0 victory over Solihull in September, it remains difficult to remember any telling contributions Fenwick has made during 15 outings for the club and the most likely reason for his continued presence at Bootham Crescent, while seven-goal top scorer Richard Brodie has been loaned out to Macclesfield, must be a shortage of willing takers.

There was some promise provided in the quality of City’s approach play, however, with Sean Newton and Aidan Connolly both probing away – the former even pressed into action as a makeshift frontman during the final throes.

Midfielder Adriano Moke had been sent off by that stage, with his 81st-minute dismissal coming after pointless posturing as referee Martin Coy, if a little slowly, called Scott Heard over for a caution following his scything down of the former Glenn Hoddle Academy graduate halfway up the pitch and just in front of the Popular Stand.

Earlier, an even start had seen Corey Whitely threaten twice for the visitors, while McDaid collected a through ball from Newton and sidestepped Scott Doe before shooting tamely at Daggers keeper Elliot Justham.

McDaid scuffed another opportunity at Justham on 12 minutes before Hawkins signalled a warning for what was to follow when he met Jordan Maguire-Drew’s right-wing corner at the far post and headed across goal and narrowly wide.

After Charlie Cooper had drove well off target with an ambitious 35-yard effort at the other end, Hawkins made no mistake with his next opportunity.

John Still’s team were constantly looking for the 6ft 4in striker as he intelligently peeled away from makeshift centre-back Yan Klukowski to prey on City’s smaller defenders and reaped the rewards on 28 minutes when he met Maguire-Drew’s inswinging delivery from the right and planted a firm header into Flinders’ bottom-left corner.

Shots from Connolly and McDaid then failed to extend Justham before Whitely sent in another cross from the right on the stroke of half-time that Hawkins expertly headed down, allowing Guttridge to pounce from eight yards and beat Flinders. McDaid went on to curl high and wide from the same distance after Newton’s left-wing centre had flustered the away defence moments after the restart.

His header from a Simon Heslop cross was later gathered by Justham, who also dealt with an edge-of-the-box half-volley from Connolly.

The ex-Luton net-minder was called into more serious action, though, when he used his fingertips to push over a stinging 25-yard Newton piledriver.

Moke was then punished for his petulance after raising his arms at Maguire-Drew in a reaction that might also have seen him make accidental contact with Mr Coy.

But the ten men went on to force Justham into two more fine saves from a Connolly free kick and Newton’s sidefooted eight-yard effort.

Dagenham might also have added to the scoreline, though, with Whitely clearing the crossbar following a simple close-range opportunity and Maguire-Drew hitting the base of Flinders’ left-hand upright.

City

Scott Flinders: 6 – quiet for large periods of the game and helpless for both goals

Danny Holmes: 6 – no chance when pitted against Hawkins in the air, but sensible at the back

Yan Klukowski: 6 – exposed a couple of times for making midfield decisions in defence

Matt Fry: 6 – distribution was generally reliable, although caught out defensively on occasions

Simon Heslop: 6 – plugged away, while might have done better with his final delivery

Adriano Moke: 5 – lack of discipline and intelligence saw him red carded after getting embroiled in daft scenes

Charlie Cooper: 5 – has gone into his shell a little following promise of his debut against Sutton

Aidan Connolly: 6 – looked to get City on front foot with his positive bursts on the ball

STAR MAN Sean Newton: 7 – provided the team with best moments of quality in the final third

Scott Fenwick: 4 – replaced just before the hour mark having made little impression on the game

Robbie McDaid: 5 – snatched at his chances, but can take heart from being in the right positions

Substitutes: Daniel Nti (for Fenwick, 59) 6 – keen, Callum Rzonca (for McDaid, 77).

Subs not used: Shaun Rooney, Matty Dixon, Alex Bruton.

Dagenham

Elliot Justham, Joe Widdowson, Scott Doe, Josh Staunton, Frankie Raymond, Jordan Maguire-Drew (Paul Benson, 90), Andre Boucaud, Scott Heard, Luke Guttridge, Corey Whitely, Oliver Hawkins.

Subs not used: Tyrique Hyde, Shomari Barnwell, Mark Cousins, Scott Mitchell. 

Dagenham star man: Hawkins – tormented City with aerial prowess

Referee: Martin Coy rating: 5/10 – made some unusual calls

Booked: Guttridge 73, Connolly 79, Heard 81

Sent off: Moke 81

Attendance: 2,410 (131 from Dagenham)

Shots on target: City 9, Dagenham 4

Shots off target: City 4, Dagenham 4

Corners: City 7, Dagenham 5

Fouls conceded: City 12, Dagenham 17

Offside: City 2, Dagenham 1