Match winner Mark Kitching reflects on first Hartlepool United goal at Victoria Park following 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge

A stubborn Dagenham defence were finally undone by Hartlepool United as substitute Tyler Hamilton slid in Kitching to net his first goal of the season.

“I don’t get many, that’s my first at The Vic so it’s a really pleasing one to get off my back as well,” he admitted.

“It’s the first time I’ve scored the winner in my career which is a bit mad being a defender because I’m usually trying to keep them out to be fair!

“Gime got the ball on the left wing and wrapped it in to Tyler and I sort of know from playing with Tyler in training that he likes to play one touch balls.

“So once he’s got it I’ve just sort of ran behind their right winger and Tyler has played a great ball right into my path.

“I was thinking I’ll come onto it with my left and just whack it but it fell so perfectly for my right foot so I just swung my leg at it to try and hit the target with a bit of pace and thankfully it’s gone in and I’ve just gone wild.”

Following the match, the Pools players and coaches jokingly suggested Kitching didn’t actually mean to score his goal.

Kitching responded: “Some of the lads are trying to say it’s a cross but I don’t get many so surely they’ve got to give me this one come on, it’s definitely not a cross!

“But I’m buzzing to get one at The Vic because it’s been a while and I should have had a couple already this season.

“I’ve scored away from home, but to score here was special and I’ve had a few good chances with my left foot and even my head earlier in the season.

“I never thought my first goal here would come with my right!

“Now I’m off the mark, I’m just hoping to kick on from here and hopefully get a few more goals come the end of the season.”