YOU ONLY had to look at the body language of the Dagenham & Redbridge players on Saturday to see the impact that the return of Paul Benson and Peter Gain had. It didn t look like Daggers were going to find a way through a stubborn Macclesfield defence, un

YOU ONLY had to look at the body language of the Dagenham & Redbridge players on Saturday to see the impact that the return of Paul Benson and Peter Gain had, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

It didn't look like Daggers were going to find a way through a stubborn Macclesfield defence, until Benson took to the field and within moments had ended a home goal drought stretching back over seven hours.

The introduction of Gain played its part too, as the midfielder dominated proceedings in the centre of the pitch, moving the ball around with ease and snapping into tackles once more.

Full back Danny Foster admitted just how important it was for the duo to return to first team action.

"You miss 'Gainy' day in, day out around the training ground, he's such a good lad to have around," he said.

"You can see his experience on the pitch as he has played at this level for a number of years now.

"He's a good all-round player for us to have, it's great to have him back because he gets things organised and keeps things ticking over.

"Paul is such a talent too and everyone who has been down to watch Dagenham over the last few years will tell you that.

"It was all made for him to come on and get a goal, it was a crucial goal too and we'll take that."

The right back has first-hand experience of coming up against Benson on the training ground and knows just what a handful the striker can be.

"I've played against 'Benno' in training and know how intelligent he is around the box, he's a real poacher," he said.

"One minute you think you've got him in your sights and then you haven't.

"He's very hard to mark and is all arms and legs, but he pops up with plenty of goals for us.

"He worked hard last season. We had called him the non-league 'Crouchie', but I don't think he'll have that anymore.

"He has has beefed up, pins defenders well and is stronger.

"He is hard to get the ball off, which is another attribute to his game."

Those thoughts were also echoed by Daggers manager John Still.

"'Benno' got in between people, got his toe to the ball and it went in, those are the sort of goals that he gets," he said.

"That sort of instinct is what he does, and you just can't buy that."

How much have Daggers missed Peter Gain and Paul Benson? Email your views to: sport@ilfordrecorder.co.uk

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