After starting their season last weekend with a 2-1 win at Chesterfield, Andy Hessenthaler was a disappointed boss when he saw his charges beaten 2-1 at Crabble by Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday night.

Speaking to KSN before the weekend’s home clash with Wrexham, Hessenthaler began by reflecting on his side’s start to the National League season.

“A win and a loss is probably par for the course and if we win on Saturday, it’ll be two points a game and everyone says that that’s the way to go for the rest of the season,” Hessenthaler told us.

“But as long as we get something at the weekend – obviously Tuesday was disappointing because we were at home after getting off the mark at Chesterfield the way we did at the weekend.”

“Dagenham lost Saturday and everyone expected us to win and I think that that was part of the problem – it wasn’t the worst performance but it was just a shame that we couldn’t turn the possession we had in the game and show that little bit of quality that was missing on the night!”

“Disappointed yes, but there are positives as we’re only two games in especially when you look at the table and only one team has a one hundred percent record!”

“We all say it’s ten games before the League table starts to unfold properly and I’m still sure that the Solihull Moors and the Harrogate’s will be strong along with the Bromley’s and the Fylde’s, but we’re going on along nicely!”

“As I say, Tuesday was a disappointment but we’re only two games in and only Halifax have two wins from two and that in itself is a bit of a surprise given the problems that they’ve had in the summer. It’s going to be interesting to see how things end up over the next few weeks as there as so many games early on!”

“After Saturday and speaking to John (Sheridan), the Chesterfield boss, he was full of praise for us saying that “I think you might be dark horses and teams will have to be wary of you”, and I agree with him.”

“We lost a tight game on Tuesday that could have gone either way and Peter (Taylor) is a good friend of mine and he was on the phone on Wednesday and said I’m delighted that we won but you caused us so many problems and we’ve got a lot of respect for you.”

“So, playing the old League sides early on doesn’t phase us and I think we’ll be more than a match for anyone this season. If we can keep it together and get things right, who knows what we can do this season.”

Tuesday’s match winner for Dagenham and Redbridge was Mitch Brundle – who last season was a Dover favourite. “It always happens doesn’t it,” Hessenthaler reflected on how former heroes return to score against their former sides.

“It was a penalty that could have been avoided and when they got it, he grabbed the ball and he was going to take it – whether he was the penalty taker I don’t know, but he’s a great lad and I’m sorry that we lost him due to circumstances we just couldn’t keep him.”

“I’ll keep in contact as he’s a good lad and I’m sure he’ll have a good season for Dagenham, and we’ll see each other on the way.”

“Saturday we’ve got Wrexham coming to us and we’re all fit except for Paul Rooney so we’ll go again and hopefully get the win this time.”