Dagenham & Redbridge boss Ben Strevens admitted he was happy to take a National League point at Eastleigh - but felt his side could have had all three.

Daggers began the new year with a 4-4 draw against the Spitfires, for whom Paul McCallum netted a hat-trick, after letting a two-goal lead slip in the first half.

But Strevens could not help but feel a little bit frustrated at not completing a festive double over their rivals after a 4-1 Boxing Day win at Victoria Road.

"When you're 3-2 down, 4-3 down you have to take a point, but I felt we had enough moments to take three points," he told the club website.

"We started the game really well, got into a two-goal lead, then in fairness to them, the way they come back to get back into the game to make it 2-1 and then score right on the stroke of half-time.

"I wasn't happy, I spoke to the referee about that, he said he added a little bit more on because he spoke to a couple of their players.

"And that moment where they went 2-2 just before the break and then 3-2 up very early at the start of the second half, the worry is how that's going to impact the boys.

"But in fairness to the lads they played some really good stuff, bounced back from it every time they had a punch on the nose and in the end I'll take the point.

"But I really feel like we should probably come here and got the three points. We had good moments to score more than just the four."

Tom Eastman and Josh Rees netted three minutes apart to put Daggers on top, but McCallum replied with a brace before the break and Jayden Harris put the hosts ahead.

Rees replied, only for McCallum to complete his treble before Inih Effiong's excellent equaliser completed the scoring.

"The first one, a brilliant header down by Inih and Easty took it fantastically well," added Strevens.

"Then things we've worked on, getting down the sides and smashing it across the box, Shiloh [Remy] had it, had a little ricochet and Reesy arrived.

"Third one, Reesy arriving again in the box, first contact from [Harry] Phipps from a set-play and then Inih scored an incredible goal.

"He's missed when he put it over the bar but it's an unbelievable strike, two in two games of similar quality outside the box.

"I wish for them they would've got the three points but Macca had something else to say for them."

Daggers were cheered on by 124 travelling fans at the Silverlake Stadium and Strevens is hoping to repay them for that loyal support in 2024. 

"It's a long journey, I know this because I've done it plenty of times myself," said the former Eastleigh boss.

"The support they gave, they must've been really happy when we was 2-0 up, then down 3-2 and 4-3 and worried about that.

"McCallum scoring three goals for them, a player that has played for them last season, that must have hurt them even more, but hopefully they've seen the way the boys have fought back and got the point.

"They probably go away like us, frustrated. We're always honest with our assessments in the game.

"I'm going to give them credit for the way they played and the goals they scored but we had so many good chances and good moments going across their box to score more than just the four.

"I don't think we'll have too many games where the other team score four goals against us in the manner they did.

"The quality of Macca's finishing was very good, we'll obviously question what we could've done better, and I was disappointed with the set-play, I wasn't happy with the set-up on one of their goals at the start of the second half when Harris scored. 

"The fans were incredible, stuck with the boys and I hope they had a safe journey home and we want to give them a positive 2024.

"I know there's been lots of change and stuff going on in 2023 but we really hope we've got good moments around the corner and their support is as important as ever. They've been fantastic with me and the club and I really appreciate it."

Daggers now face a blank weekend with their scheduled opponents in FA Cup action, before visiting Barnet on Tuesday January 9.

But Strevens is looking at the positives, adding: "We've got a bit of down time, Chesterfield progressing in the FA Cup, and we've arranged a friendly against West Ham to keep that connection between us. Then we go to Barnet on the Tuesday.

"We've got a small break to give the boys a bit of down time, the Christmas period is mental for all of us, trying to work out training days and losing track of the days, I don't know how everyone else feels, I don't even know what day it is today, I'm losing track of days the way it is.

"Bit of down time, come back together for that game against West Ham, train before that, lead into the Barnet game away which will be another tough game.

"I watched them against Southend, got the 1-0 victory, they're flying high at the top of the table so it will be another tough away game for us."