Indeed the battling visitors produced a great display and deserved a win, let alone a replay.
The non-League side were the better team for much of the game, especially in the second half when they had League One Hartlepool struggling.
But the Conference players could not find the finishing to go with their neat approach play, and they paid the penalty as Hartlepool hit them with a late winner.
Tresor Kandol had the ball in the net in the 11th-minute, but his shot was disallowed for offside.
But there was no doubt when he headed in a cross from Craig Mackail-Smith after a bad clearance from Darren Williams on 31 minutes.
The Daggers' joy was short-lived though, as they were only in front for two minutes. Pool cashed in on a weak clearance from a free-kick to hit back with a stunning 25-yarder from defender Michael Nelson that was still rising when it ripped into the net.
Daggers dominated after the break, but they could not make the home team pay for their worst performance of the season, and eight minutes from time they were made to pay themselves.
Eifion Williams held the ball up well before playing Thomas Butler through the middle, and he slotted in a low shot.
It turned out to be the winner, but not before Dagenham had staged a late battle for a replay, going close twice and having strong penalty appeals turned down when home defender Williams appeared to handle in the area.
The losers were given a bigger reception than the winners at the final whistle, as home and away fans joined in applauding them off the pitch.
On this form, Dagenham have a bright future, as long as they can get over the disappointment of this result.