Dagenham & Redbridge boss Ben Strevens was blown away by his side’s efficiency in front of goal in a 7-1 rout of National League leaders Gateshead on Saturday.

Having gone in at the break 2-1 ahead thanks to early strikes from Dion Pereira and Josh Rees, a second-half flurry of goals put Gateshead to the sword, leaving Strevens almost speechless.

“I’m absolutely delighted for the boys and all the coaching staff,” said the Daggers boss.

“It was tough when we had the games without the points we deserved, but the belief in the boys, honestly, the work that Stu and Lew have done with them.

"We’ve done some really good things, and we kept saying if we keep doing the right things then good things are going to happen.

“We really felt the last two or three performances have been really strong. We were against top opposition today. They’re really good. They’re the best footballing team in the league. No doubt about it.

"And we were so clinical with the chances we got. We worked really hard without the ball as everyone could see. I’m delighted for the whole group as they deserve it."

All four of the Daggers frontline netted on Saturday, with Rees, Junior Morias and Pereira helping themselves to a brace each – a promising omen in the eyes of Strevens.

“They had to work so hard without the ball today and, obviously, everyone else had to work hard behind the ball, but the way they start their build-up and go through the thirds was a really tough job for Dion and Junior in the wide areas and Josh (Rees) up there as well,” he added.

“The fact they worked so hard and got their moments and scored their goals, it’s proof to them it was well worth it. We looked at set plays and balls in the box, the clinical nature of those boys was really, really good to see.”

With Hartlepool up next, the Daggers boss touched on the likelihood of deploying a similar strategy to what contributed to the annihilation of Gateshead.

“I think the preparation for Hartlepool has got to be the same preparation after the Woking game, after losing at home to York," he said.

“Being that hungry team and taking on board some criticism that came our way and not getting carried away with it.

"We need to be humble and be ready to go again, because if we get too carried way with this victory this game brings you back down to earth with a crash.

“So, we’ve got to be them people. The people that on a Saturday evening and a Sunday afternoon after the York game, me and my coaching staff are searching for answers to help the boys on a Monday. The boys coming in and being receptive on a Monday and being really demanding of each other.

“We’ve got to be that group. We can’t get carried away with ourselves. The way we’re doing what we’re doing is by believing in each other, working hard every day. If people want to question it then just keep working and then good things happen.

“Good things happen to good people and there’s some top, top people in my office that have worked so hard and obviously the boys as well. Don’t get carried away and get ready to go again.”