DAGENHAM & R v MAIDSTONE U

JAY SAUNDERS knows Maidstone still need to win two more games to secure their safety in the National League – and it won’t be easy at Dagenham & Redbridge.

The problem for the Stones is that they have only won two of their last 22 games and now they need six points from their remaining six games.

“Dagenham will be a really tough game,” said Saunders. “They have lost a number of players but they are still a really good side. It is always a difficult match against them.

“Nothing changes after today’s defeat against Hartlepool. We have still got to get two wins on the board in order to be certain to avoid relegation and whoever they come against, we will take it.”

Financial problems have severely affected Dagenham’s promotion hopes but manager John Still reckons there is still a chance they could make a late push.

He said: “We have played really well in the last two games and we want to keep that going.

“We still have an outside chance of making the play-offs, while Maidstone still need the points to get away from the bottom four.

“Both teams have something to play for. When you’ve still got something to play for the games are so tough. What I’ve learnt in football is never to take anything for granted. We’ve lost a lot of match-winners – but we’ve found new match-winners.”