By Pete Oliver

Still has been impressed by the speed at which his side have improved

Dagenham & Redbridge may have been the surprise package of the Conference season so far as they pursue undefeated leaders Oxford United.

Even Daggers boss John Still admits their rise towards the top has come a little faster than expected.

"We did expect an improvement, but they have improved beyond what we thought might be the case," he told BBC Sport.

But Still insists it will not be a shock if his young side now stays the pace in the promotion race.

He said: "I think this group of players can maintain it, I really do.

"It would be very difficult for us, financially, to add to the squad but I do believe that if we keep people fit we can keep going.

"We might have a dip in form at some time and then it will be about how we bounce back.

"I wouldn't be able to make too many changes but the important thing will be to maintain our approach and attitude to the game and the big thing, to maintain our spirit."

With just three defeats in their opening 18 Conference fixtures, the Daggers are currently averaging more than two points a game.

In most years we would have been top of the league ourselves John Still

That record has allowed them to keep in touch with pace-setting Oxford and given them a 10-point cushion inside the play-off places.

"Probably in most years we would have been top of the league ourselves," Still added.

"Oxford have had a remarkable unbeaten run yet the pleasing thing is that we are only five points behind them.

"Football being what it is, they could have a bad result on Saturday and we have a good one and then it's down to two.

"It's gone very well for us and what makes it more pleasing is that we only have a small squad, who have been fantastic."

With Tim Cole out on loan to Thurrock to gain match fitness, the Daggers are operating with only around 16 senior players.

However, two of those were named in Paul Fairclough's squad for England's Under-23 European Trophy tie against Holland later this month.

And in striker Paul Benson, Still is able to call on the Conference's second leading scorer.

Benson has bagged 12 goals this season - providing arguably the greatest endorsement yet of Still's scouting and recruitment policy.

We might have a dip in form at some time and then it will be about how we bounce back John Still

Many of Dagenham's squad emerged from lower levels of non-league football, with Benson, 25, arriving from Essex Intermediate League side White Ensign in July 2005.

"He was playing parks football and last year he did okay for us without scoring many goals," Still said.

"He had three months out with a broken leg and he was getting used to the training. But this year he has done remarkably well."

With Benson's goals leading the way, Dagenham have given themselves a realistic chance of promotion to the Football League for the first time since losing in the 2003 play-off final under previous manager Garry Hill.

The previous year they missed out only on goal difference to champions Boston United, a disappointment which was compounded by the Pilgrims' subsequent punishments for illegal payments to players.

Earlier this month, Boston manager Steve Evans and former chairman Pat Malkinson were given suspended jail sentences for their roles in the tax fraud.

The episode refreshed the sense of injustice among many Dagenham supporters.

But while Still understands the views held by those who were connected with the club at the time, his focus is on the here and now.

He said: "We can't worry about outside influences and what might have happened.