IT MAY have been a pre-season friendly, but there was no wiping the smile off Scott Griffiths face after the full back netted a last-minute winner on Saturday. April 11, 2006 was the last time Griffiths scored for Daggers, in a 4-2 defeat against Altrinc

IT MAY have been a pre-season friendly, but there was no wiping the smile off Scott Griffiths' face after the full back netted a last-minute winner on Saturday, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

April 11, 2006 was the last time Griffiths scored for Daggers, in a 4-2 defeat against Altrincham at Victoria Road, but though there was little riding on this result, he was still mobbed by his overjoyed team-mates.

"I'm absolutely delighted," he told the Post.

"I've been asking to go up for corners and the first chance I get, I do the job!

"Hopefully I can get a few more from here, in the air and on the floor."

Daggers ran out 1-0 victors in the end courtesy of Griffiths' late strike, and although every manager shrugs off the importance of results in pre-season affairs, it's slightly different for players.

Achievement

"If you can get wins rather than losses, its going to give you a boost as you get a better sense of achievement and togetherness as a team, so it can only be good for us," admitted Griffiths, who has made 219 appearances for Daggers since signing from Aveley in 2004.

"I thought the game against Orient went well and I thought we were unlucky not to have a few more goals.

"We showed our fitness, had some chances and I think we deserved the result."

Ask any player what they think about pre-season and you will rarely get anyone waxing lyrical about how much they enjoy the process.

Griffiths is no different, but he understands the importance of putting the work in now, to set the squad up for the league campaign ahead.

"Pre-season is always hard and I've never enjoyed it," he smiled.

"It's a lot of running and technique work, a lot of organisation and then more running, but we pride ourselves on being able to stay strong for 90 minutes.

"I think we showed our fitness in the friendlies, we've worked hard in pre-season as we do every year, and everyone is willing."

Optimism

Last season, Daggers surprised just about everyone outside the club with their push for the play-offs, and although they have lost a large chunk of their playing personnel, Griffiths believes that optimism is still high again this year.

"I think we've got a good chance, I honestly think we can get into the top half," he said.

"It's never going to be an easy task getting into the top eight again, but I know without a doubt, John (Still) is going to want us to finish in the top three.

"He will want automatic promotion and will always want automatic promotion, as he wants the best for the club."

Daggers begin their season with a trip to Gresty Road on Saturday, where they will face a Crewe Alexandra side looking to bounce back from relegation to League Two.

"We will rate it as any other game, we're not going to approach it lightly as we know they are a good side and will be strong, but we believe we can get a result," said Griffiths, who then travels to Wales on Tuesday night as Daggers take on Championship side Cardiff City in the Carling Cup.

"Cardiff will be a treat, they are a good side with a great stadium, any kind of result there will be fantastic for us."

Will Griffiths break his scoring duck this season? Email: mike.simmonds@archant.co.uk

The Post is now on Twitter, so if you follow twitter.com/Post_DagRed then you will get up to the minute updates on goings on at Victoria Road.