SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher will be looking forward not back when the Shrimpers head to Dagenham & Redbridge in the fourth round of the FA Trophy tomorrow.

Blues go into the game on the back of two successive victories and have now been beaten just once in seven matches.

But Maher is not getting carried away.

“Tuesday was good against Yeovil but it’s gone so we’re focusing on the next one and not looking back,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“We’re pleased with how it went and how we played but we’ve put it to bed and we’re looking towards Dagenham now.

“It’s a big month for us and we’ve had a good start but there’s a long way to go with some big games coming up.”

And Maher was also keen to impress he would be taking Saturday’s clash seriously, despite it being a break from the National League campaign.

“We always look to win games and this is a cup competition with a Wembley final so we want to do well in it,” said Maher.

“It’s the next game too so all our focus is on it.

“We don’t ever look too far ahead so everything is looking at Saturday and trying to bring the same intensity we showed against Yeovil.”

Saturday’s match is also a repeat of Maher’s first game in charge, back in October.

Dagenham won 3-0 that afternoon but Maher does not see Saturday’s game as a chance to show how much Blues have improved.

“I don’t really look at it like that,” said Maher.

“I look at it as a game on its own merit.

“It’s a tough one for us and Daryl (McMahon) has a really good team there.

“It will be a good test for us and we will be better than the last time we went. “ Maher has made significant changes since taking charge of the Shrimpers, with just three of the starting line-up from his first game in charge being selected against Yeovil last time out.

But the Blues boss may be forced into changes this weekend with both Rhys Murphy (knee) and Will Atkinson (hamstring) facing late fitness tests after going off injured against Yeovil Town.

“We will assess them both and see how they settle down but fingers crossed they will be OK, “said Maher.

“We have one or two we need to look at and one or two might come in.

“But there will be opportunities for people if they do come in and this is a game we will definitely be taking seriously.

“Every game, whether in the under 23s or friendly, should be taken seriously and we want to win.”

Defender John White and midfielder Jack Bridge are both still sidelined while Leon Davies and Harrison Neal are both cup tied.