THIS time last year Dagenham & Redbridge had just missed out on the League Two play-off places in heartbreaking fashion and members of their squad were already jumping ship.

Magnus Okuonghae, Ben Strevens, Sam Saunders and Danny Foster were part of a mini exodus at Victoria Road, all fearing a club that were red-hot relegation favourites at the start of the season had hit their peak and would quickly fall away the following year.

There was one, however, that remained. Despite strong interest from then League One side Gillingham, Paul Benson opted to ride out the storm with the Daggers in the seemingly forlorn hope that the club could recover, rebuild and go one better next season.

“I believe there is one more promotion left in this side,” the striker told the Guardian last summer. Approaching 30 and playing at the pinnacle of his career after recovering from a troublesome knee injury, it seemed the perfect chance for Benson to land that one final big move that would see him compete in English football's third tier.

But then few understand the unwavering belief these Dagenham players have in their manager.

John Still responded to the departures by delving once more into the non-league market, plucking Josh Scott and Danny Green from the lower reaches of the pyramid, rekindling the careers of ex-Arsenal trainee Abu Ogogo and midfielder Stuart Thurgood and he began an unlikely second assault on promotion.

Ten months on and Benson's faith has been rewarded in the most spectacular manner, with the team celebrating an astounding 3-2 play-off final victory over Rotherham at Wembley.

“It all comes from the manager to be honest,” said the former White Ensign player. “I bought into his theory that he can get this club up another league and I just really wanted to be a part of it.

“One promotion from the Conference was special but to have two under my belt would just put us among the legends at the club, and that's what I wanted to do.

“I was gutted that we missed out on the play-offs in the last game (of last season) but I thought we could come back stronger. If we kept the players that we had we probably would have gone up automatically but he's brought some more players in, they've all dug in and worked to the Dagenham ethos and the whole club has got their just rewards.”

When Dagenham were promoted to the Football League three years ago, Benson asked Still if he felt he could raise his game to another level. He answered his own questions with a prolific scoring record in leading the line for the team.

However, that same uncertainty crept back when it became apparent that the Daggers were mounting a genuine promotion bid this season.

“I remember speaking to him (Still) before Christmas and I said to him: 'If we were to go up this year, do you think I could do it in that league?' And he said: 'Absolutely'. So he's given me the confidence to believe that I'll be able to do just as well as I have done in League Two,” added Benson.

The achievement is made that much more sweeter as it was Benson who gave Dagenham a first-half lead at Wembley on Sunday with a finish out of the very top drawer.

“It was an amazing feeling. When you think where I've been and where I've come from, and now I've scored for a team that's won at Wembley and got promoted...I certainly couldn't write it,” he said.

“I was really pleased because that's what my game is about, instinctive in the box and get your shot off. Luckily for me it rolled into the bottom corner.”

Ironically, Gillingham and Dagenham have swapped places, with the Gills being relegated from League One last year. Perhaps Benson foresaw that, too.