  We present the first results of the analysis of data collected during the
1998-99 observational campaign at the 1.3 meter McGraw-Hill Telescope, towards
the Andromeda galaxy (M31), aimed to the detection of gravitational
microlensing effects as a probe of the presence of dark matter in our and in
M31 halo. The analysis is performed using the pixel lensing technique, which
consists in the study of flux variations of unresolved sources and has been
proposed and implemented by the AGAPE collaboration. We carry out a shape
analysis by demanding that the detected flux variations be achromatic and
compatible with a Paczynski light curve. We apply the Durbin-Watson hypothesis
test to the residuals. Furthermore, we consider the background of variables
sources. Finally five candidate microlensing events emerge from our selection.
Comparing with the predictions of a Monte Carlo simulation, assuming a standard
spherical model for the M31 and Galactic haloes, and typical values for the
MACHO mass, we find that our events are only marginally consistent with the
distribution of observable parameters predicted by the simulation.
