Goals from Luke Gambin and Michael Nelson helped Barnet to a 2-0 win over struggling Dagenham & Redbridge.

Gambin gave the visitors the lead with a superb solo effort mid-way through the first half, before Nelson sealed victory with a 68th minute close range strike. 

It was John Akinde who had the Bees first chance of the match after just four minutes.

The striker found himself in space inside the Daggers’ box, but his header was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Mark Cousins. 

Bondz N’Gala then headed over the bar after connecting with the resulting corner.

Dagenham responded two minutes later through Dominic Hyam, who fired wide of the left post from the edge of a crowded penalty area.

Josh Labadie connected with Oliver Hawkins left sided cross on 13 minutes, but couldn’t find the target from a narrow angle. 

Shaun Batt was then played through on goal with 17 minutes on the clock, but his shot was closed down and saved by Cousins. 

In the 23rd minute Gambin gave Barnet the lead with an outstanding solo goal.

The winger jinked through the Dagenham defence, before drilling home a low shot from a tight angle on the left. 

Jamie Stephens was forced into a good save when he tipped Jamie Cureton’s volley over the bar after 37 minutes, but the Bees went into the break 1-0 up. 

The second half began less frenetically than the first, but came to life in the 59th minute when substitute Jodi Jones’ shot hit the post after a darting run into the box. 

However Nelson doubled Barnet’s lead with their first clear effort of the second half.

A Bees corner was initially cleared, but Chris Hackett’s 68th minute cross was fired into the net by the veteran defender from just two yards out. 

Akinde found himself one-on-one with Cousins after 74 minutes, but his shot was saved by the keeper – Hackett’s follow-up then flew high over the bar. 

Tom Champion and Curtis Weston both came close two minutes later, as Barnet narrowly missed a succession of chances to extend their advantage. 

Debutant James Pearson fired over the bar after latching onto an 86th minute Weston pass, but Barnet held on for a convincing victory over the Daggers.

The Bees face AFC Wimbledon at The Hive next Saturday.