ANY DOUBTS that Dagenham & Redbridge were not genuine contenders for the League Two title were put to bed when the Victoria Road outfit moved to the top of the table last week.

The Daggers' 1-0 win at Accrington Stanley, coupled with slip-ups by Bournemouth and Rochdale, saw them move into first place on goal difference from the Cherries.

It is not the first time John Still's men have occupied the top spot this season, having enjoyed a spell there a few games in. But the achievement is made all the more impressive when one considers that over a third of the campaign has been run and many of the pretenders to the throne have been rooted out, to be replaced by those who will slug it out for the promotion places.

Relegation candidates in their first season in league football, play-off challengers at the second attempt, the Daggers have now emerged as one of League Two's premier sides and are among the favourites to earn promotion as champions, let alone manage a place in the top three.

Bookmakers Paddy Power have slashed their odds to win the title to 8/1, representing a fraction of the price one would have found at the beginning of the season.

However, the Daggers are about to encounter two of the biggest obstacles that will threaten their serene progress, in the shape of third-placed Rochdale, who they will entertain on Saturday, as well as a trip to Bournemouth next Tuesday.