DAGENHAM & Redbridge skipper Mark Arber was delighted to get the new year off to a winning start, as the Daggers propelled themselves back into the hunt for promotion with a 2-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra.

First-half goals from Danny Green and Josh Scott marked a return to form for John Still’s men, following a disappointing run of just one win in seven games.

However, such is the competitive nature of League Two this season that the Daggers managed to cling on to the coat-tails of the frontrunners during that rocky period, and they now lead a clutch of teams vying for the third and final automatic promotion spot.

Arber was pleased to have blown out the cobwebs from almost three weeks without a game, after the weather claimed their league matches against Rotherham and Torquay.

“It was important to get the three points and get the new year off to a winning start,” said the 32-year-old centre-back. “There are plenty of teams around with games to play, but I would prefer to have the points on the board, like we have, rather than have some games in hand. It’s a good position for us to be in and we would have taken this at the start of the season.”

The task now for Dagenham is to press on and put more pressure on the leading two of Bournemouth and Rochdale, as well as put more daylight between themselves and the rest of the chasing pack.

They will have their work cut out though, as next up is a trip to fifth-placed Shrewsbury on Saturday before a home clash against Notts County next Tuesday.

They are two games that could go a long way to deciding how genuine the Daggers’ promotion credentials are, as well as how quickly some of the new faces have gelled into the squad.

Phil Walsh, from Dorchester Town, and Marlon Pack, who has arrived on loan from Portsmouth, have been joined by veteran midfielder Darren Currie. His two-month loan at Victoria Road has been turned into a permanent 18-month deal.

Arber insists the break from action has enabled the new arrivals to settle in, while he is confident that the squad is now capable of sustaining a promotion bid until the end of the season.

“The break has helped the new boys settle in and has got them raring to go,” added the former Barnet defender.

“They will take time to gel, as it’s been a difficult season with people going in and out.

“We’ve got strength in depth now and the squad is certainly good enough to remain where we are. It’s time to push on and consolidate our position.

“Shrewsbury is going to be a tough game, and they will be looking for a bit of revenge after we beat them 5-0 earlier on in the season.

“Notts County beat us 3-0 at their place last time, although it was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests.”