Dagenham & Redbridge
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Benson on a high after Daggers secure League Two status
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| (EL4496-1015) |
DESPITE seeing his season ravaged by injury, Paul Benson was the man of the hour as his goal ensured safety for Dagenham.
The man whose goals fired Daggers to the Conference title last season, kept the team in League Two with the all-important winning goal against Darlington on Saturday.
Although it wasn't the best goal he'll ever score - the goal actually took a wicked deflection on its way to the net - Benson admitted that it was certainly the most vital as the east Londoners defied all the odds to guarantee themselves a second taste of league football next season.
"It was the scrappiest goal of my career but by far my most important goal," said Benson, who has missed two lengthy chunks of the season with a knee problem and then a stress fracture on his foot.
"I missed a good chance in the first half which fell to me on my left foot and then I missed an absolutely istter in the second half with my right foot which I've no excuses for.
"It summed up my last couple of months in front of goal, I haven't scored in five games.
"But I kept on going which is something I try and do. That way you will get goals.
"Luckily, I shot with my left foot, it hit the defender and its gone in the far corner. I'll take it."
Daggers strung together a brilliant second half fightback against play-off contenders Darlington to come from two goals behind to win 3-2.
At one point it didn't look like it was going to happen as worthy penalty claims and chances went begging.
But Benson (pictured) said: "That sums us up - that is what we are all about as a team.
"The spirit maybe might have been questioned over the last couple of months with the defeats we've had and the performances we've put in.
"Some of the supporters felt we were capable of more, and they're probably right.
"But it is a never say die attitude we've got in the squad and it came through (against Darlington).
"It's the first time this season, I think, that we've come back to win a game and what a time to save it for."
The victory sparked jubiliant celebrations for the Daggers players and management at the final whistle as the realistion set in.
And it is a moment that Benson could only sum up in a single word: "Unbelievable".
"Its hard to explain the emotions you get," added the 28-year-old.
"I thought winning the Conference would be one of the biggest achievements of my career but I actually think this is probably bigger.
"The emotions the players had at the end of this game exceeds what we went through at the end of last season.
"The emotion on their faces when they realised we were safe was unbeilevable - its a remarkable achievement for this club."
12:29pm Wednesday 30th April 2008
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