DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE manager John Still is backing his side to repeat their fighting FA Cup spirit when they travel to Huddersfield Town for their first round clash on Friday night. The cup draws have been unkind to Daggers this season, as they were away

by MIKE SIMMONDS

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE manager John Still is backing his side to repeat their fighting FA Cup spirit when they travel to Huddersfield Town for their first round clash on Friday night.

The cup draws have been unkind to Daggers this season, as they were away to Cardiff City and MK Dons in the Carling Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy respectively.

But the FA Cup is a competition they have happy memories in, with high-profile matches against Charlton (2001) and Ipswich (2002), while they reached the fourth round in 2003 when they lost 1-0 to Norwich City.

Kind

"When I look back on our draws this season, they haven't been kind to us, but it is what it is," said Still, who will be without midfielder Danny Spiller

"We want to play how we play, attack them and try to get something, while some of our younger players will learn so much from this game."

The Terriers, managed by former Newcastle United midfielder Lee Clark, are undefeated at home this season and have turned the Galpharm into a fortress, putting four past Exeter City and Leyton Orient in their last two matches.

"Lee has done very well, he's got good staff there who are very experienced," added Still.

"Jordan Rhodes is a threat up front, while Gary Roberts on the wing is impressive too."

Still will be able to use on-loan full back Matthew Lockwood at Huddersfield, and was delighted to secure the temporary signing of the former Orient man.

The 33-year-old is at Victoria Road for a month, and gives the Daggers boss the ideal chance to take his time over a replacement for Scott Griffiths.

"We knew he was a steady player who would be able to hit the ground running for us," said Still.

"He's here for a month, and it might even be two months, but it means we can go out and look for the next Scott Griffiths now."

Lockwood wasn't the only one signing terms at Daggers last week, as Still himself put pen to paper on a contract extension taking him up until June 2014. Backroom staff members Terry Harris, Wayne Burnett and John Gowens also agreed deals until 2011, while young midfielder Billy Bingham signed a new two-and-a-half year contract to complete a good week for the club.

Sorted

"It's nice to get everything sorted along with my staff too, we've been progressing really well since I've been here and we still want more promotions," said the boss, who is the sixth longest-serving in English football.

"More than anything, I want to look back at my time here and see that we have established ourselves as a Football League club.

"I know some people think Dagenham & Redbridge are a non-league club and are just here for a while, but I want to make sure we are here to stay."

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