Stags boss Paul Cox was left disappointed and frustrated by Mansfield’s lacklustre performance that saw them easily beaten by Dagenham.

Goals in first half injury time by Howell and on the hour by Ogogo condemned the Stags to a second successive away defeat.

Cox admitted: ““We can talk about all different facets of the game today, but I just thought with the ball we weren’t good enough, and without the ball we weren’t good either.”

He switched to a 4-4-2 formation in the last quarter rather than his favourite 3-5-2 line-up, and brought on Chesterfield transfer target Sam Clucas and Fergus Bell for a more attacking finish.

But the Stags rarely threatened a comeback. Bell squandered free kicks when well placed and Jamie McGuire volleyed over from distance.