Dagenham & Redbridge striker Paul Benson expects test of promotion credentials against Wrexham

Paul Benson congratulates Craig Robson after scoring for Dagenham & Redbridge at Woking (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers attacker knows Robins will provide stern opposition

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Dagenham & Redbridge forward Paul Benson believes the Victoria Road outfit will face another early season test against one of their promotion rivals when they host Wrexham on Saturday.

A Luke Guttridge goal last Tuesday was enough to see Daggers to a 1-0 win over Lincoln City, who are expected to feature near the top of the table come May.

The Robins have started the season in solid, if unspectacular, fashion, taking eight points from their first five games as they look to return to the Football League at the ninth attempt.

Daggers will be striving to win a fourth league game in a row for the first time since March 2008 when they entertain Wrexham in front of the live BT Sport 1 cameras on Saturday (12.15pm).

But Benson, who is back at the club for a second spell, knows it will be a difficult match with both sides chasing the same aim come the end of the season.

“You always look at the table at the start of the season and say who you think will be there or thereabouts,” said the former Luton Town striker.

“It doesn’t always pan out like that, but I think Wrexham have had a solid start to the season so it will be a tough one.

“As the gaffer says, they’re all tough before you kick off, it’s about how you play in the game.

“Woking would have been a tough away game, but we attacked them and got in their faces in the first 20 minutes and found ourselves 3-0 up.

“I would have said Woking was tough before we kicked off, so Wrexham will be tough. We will have to play well to beat them,

but I’m sure we will be full of confidence looking for the win.”

Benson and his team-mates face the added task of playing twice in 48 hours over the Bank Holiday weekend, with a trip to recently-promoted Sutton United to come on Monday.

The 36-year-old admits it will be a gruelling run, but says everyone in the squad must deal with it.

“It’s not ideal, especially when you get to the latter stages of your career! Recovery is important between games, so it will be tough, but if called upon and if asked to do the job, I’ll do it with no fuss,” he added.

“You know you have situations like that where you play Saturday, Monday sometimes. I’ve done it during my career, you do it around Christmas, so if needs be and called upon, you get on with it and do the job as best you can.

“You won’t be getting any excuses from myself or hopefully any of the other boys.”

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