Dagenham & Redbridge boss Ben Strevens admitted he 'hated' the goal his side conceded in their pre-season friendly against Gillingham on Saturday.

Former Leyton Orient defender Shadrach Ogie headed home for the visitors, early in the second half, with the goal proving decisive as Daggers saw Josh Hare and Frank Vincent denied by Jake Turner saves.

And Strevens says his squad have got to improve in those type of situations when it comes to their 2023-24 National League campaign.

"I hated the goal," he told the club website.

"I know we'd made a couple of changes at half-time to the set-up, slightly changed. I just felt we were never properly set.

"But the last three games we've noticed a little pattern with the goals we've conceded, so we're going to work on that. We've got to learn from every experience pre-season.

"We've got lots of things right, but the things we've got wrong we've got to make sure we minimise over the course of the season.

"I think we conceded from 19 set-plays last year so we've got to get that number way down.

"As frustrating as it is, that might lead into the first two or three games it not happening again. We've got to make sure it doesn't."

Having been pleased by the performances of his men in successive draws with West Ham United and Leyton Orient, Strevens felt they were found a little bit wanting by a Gills side adopting a more direct approach.

"Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. We played against West Ham and Leyton Orient and they played a certain way," he added.

"Gillingham played to their strengths, their front two are a real handful, really good at getting hold of the ball and bringing their midfield into play, we just didn't get to grips with it.

"Because it was a bit of a longer game, we didn't gain control and the time we did play it and got it out and moved it through the midfield, we had an effort at goal, but we got caught in that still being really hectic with the ball.

"I understand it, I know why it happens, we've got to try and show them that now. We've been doing analysis all the way through pre-season so we will show them the same stuff."

Daggers have one more pre-season friendly, at Northwood on Tuesday, and then start their league campaign at Altrincham on Saturday (August 5).

And Strevens feels they will be well prepared, adding: "It's the end of pre-season, it's done on Tuesday.

"I expect Altrincham to be a completely different test to what we faced today, but over the course of the National League season we will definitely come up against teams that play the way Gillingham did.

"I think they will be strong this year, I feel they're building a good team this season and could be strong in League Two this season."