The game came to life as early ad four minutes. Steve Flack missed an absolute sitter, the big Exeter front man failed to convert a cross from the left and instead miscued his shot horribly wide of Tony Roberts' left-hand upright with the goal at his mercy.
A minute later Glen Southam made him pay. After being set up by the lively Craig Mackail-Smith the Daggers right winger pulled the trigger, unleashing a rasping 25-yard drive that flew into the top corner leaving Paul Jones totally helpless.
On nine minutes Jon Challinor rode a couple of challenges before striking the ball towards the top corner only for Roberts to pull off a fabulous reaction save, diving full length to his left.
Two minutes later Challinor made no mistake. Bursting from midfield once again he elected to shoot low and easily beat Roberts at his near post.
Both sides' defences looked decidedly shaky in the first half, which contributed to a hugely exciting end to end game for the first 45 minutes.
In a far more subdued second half it took until 57 minutes for the home side to regain the lead, slightly against the run of play.
Paul Benson chased what looked like a lost cause before striking a shot against the crossbar that rebounded to Chris Moore, who stooped to head in the rebound.
Exeter levelled matters in the last minute, following a scramble in the penalty box. Chris Todd lashed a shot into the roof of the net to secure the Devon side a point that they more than deserved.