Dion Pereira scored the winner nine minutes from time as Dagenham and Redbridge began their National League season with a 2-1 victory over Wealdstone.

Pereira thwarted Wealdstone after they had looked set for a point when Sam Ashford scored 10 minutes earlier.

A scrappy first half ended goalless after Dagenham’s Reece Grego-Cox’s effort was ruled out for offside.

But Dagenham moved in front 10 minutes after the restart through a Josh Rees effort following impressive build-up play that saw Pereira heavily involved.

Ashford then looked to have done enough for a share of the points, but Pereira had other ideas.