Dagenham & Redbridge boss Ben Strevens was delighted with the performance as his much-changed side progressed into the FA Cup first round with a resounding 5-1 victory at Southern League Premier Division side Leiston on Saturday.

The Daggers raced into the lead as Josh Umerah opened the scoring after just seven minutes, but they were pegged back just after the hour mark.

Umerah restored the advantage, though, with Josh Rees, Ryan Hill and Shiloh Remy also on target to send Daggers through and Strevens was relieved his side got the job done so convincingly.

“That was the key objective of the game,” Strevens told the club website when asked about his thoughts on progressing.

“It was not to have an upset. I’m sure there’s been a few, but it was making sure that we were in that draw. That was the objective.

"The boys did it. It was a really tough game, and I have to say Leiston were fantastic hosts. They’re a wonderful football club, and they’ve been really good to us all day."

As the weather worsened, with a torrential downpour, the possibility of an FA Cup giantkilling might have manifested itself in such difficult conditions, but Strevens pointed to his fringe players as the difference.

“The way it turned into a banana skin was the elements. It was really windy, and the rain came pouring down,” he added.

“When they got it to 1-1, it was a real tough moment for all of us, and it was how the boys responded from that, and I thought they were excellent in the last 20 minutes or half an hour.

“The running power and the impact of the substitutes were really key and, with the boys we had missing, the boys that started today were the ones that came in and impacted the game and can be really proud of themselves.

"We wish Leiston very well for the rest of the season, and I hope they have a real good season in their league."

The Daggers boss briefly looked ahead to Monday night’s draw along with their next National League encounter with AFC Fylde at Victoria Road this weekend.

“We just look forward to the draw now on Monday with a safe passage through," he said.

"We look forward to that draw. Then we get ready for the game next weekend as well.”

Having made it safely through to the FA Cup first round, the Daggers were handed a tricky trip to League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra in Monday night's draw.

Lee Bell's side are currently in ninth place, having lost the play-off final to Crawley Town art Wembley Stadium last season.

First-round ties will take place on the weekend of November 1-4.

But Daggers first turn attention back to their busy National League schedule, as Fylde (Saturday) and Eastleigh (Tuesday, October 20) both visit the Chigwell Construction Stadium in the coming days.

Strevens' men will then make the long trip north to face Oldham Athletic the following Saturday (October 26).