With the Conference champions already guaranteed automatic promotion, the second, third, fourth and fifth placed clubs will play-off for an additional promotion slot into the Third Division. The final will be held at Stoke City FC on Saturday, May 10.

This has opened up unprecedented targets for clubs lying outside the immediate championship chase.

In years gone by, mid-table Conference teams would just be playing out their fixtures at this time of year. But now, everyone is aiming for the play-offs.

Take Dagenham and Redbridge for example. The Daggers currently lie eighth in the table - nine points off the play-off zone with a game in hand.

With the hullabaloo surrounding their FA Cup Fourth Round tie at Norwich City on Saturday, manager Garry Hill says.

Hill said: "People have to realise that when you are a non-League club and you reach the FA Cup Third Round, well that's like winning the FA Cup to us. So now that we are in the Fourth Round, that's like being in the Champions League. But our main aim is trying to push on into the play-offs.

"The play-offs have been a tremendous boost to the Conference this year. They have given a lot of mid-table clubs something to aim at. We have a wonderful chance from where we are sitting in the table. Every game is like a cup final from here on in and we have to keep going."

Hill is confident that his side can be involved in the end of season scramble for the Third Division, although he hopes that funds will be made available to add to his squad.

He said: "Teams above us are taking points off each other and we are moving in the right direction. We are putting a good run together and we've only lost two out of our last 21 matches. That is a real positive for us. When you are picking up results all the time, it can only breed confidence.

"We have proved at our club in the past that we tend to go up another gear in a positive direction after our FA Cup runs. Other Conference teams might do well in the Cup and forget about their basics. Well that won't happen here. It is important to keep the Conference points going because that's our number one aim. Hill is confident that his side can be involved in the end of season scramble for the Third Division, although he hopes that funds will be made available to add to his squad.

He said: "Teams above us are taking points off each other and we are moving in the right direction. We are putting a good run together and we've only lost two out of our last 21 matches. That is a real positive for us. When you are picking up results all the time, it can only breed confidence.

"We have proved at our club in the past that we tend to go up another gear in a positive direction after our FA Cup runs. Other Conference teams might do well in the Cup and forget about their basics. Well that won't happen here. It is important to keep the Conference points going because that's our number one aim.

"If we put another two or three more wins together, the clubs at the top will start looking over their shoulders. And when you start to do that when you are meant to be looking ahead of you, then you turn around and stumble! That is what we are hoping for.

"Whatever happens come May, we have had another tremendous season. But the icing on the cake for me and for this club will be to try everything possible to strengthen the squad if I need to and then push on from there for a play-off position.

"I get on very well with my chairman Dave Andrews and they are fantastic people down at Dagenham and Redbridge. I love the club and I really enjoy my role as manager. So we have now got to look at what we need in the coming months to make a strong push. Not just between now and the end of the season, but also for the long-term future of the club. I'd like to think that everyone at the club has the same viewpoint on this as myself."

And with the Daggers having a fine Cup pedigree in recent seasons, Hill is confident that the sudden death nature of the play-offs would suit his side.

"I wouldn't worry about anyone we were facing in the play-offs. I feel that if there is any team that people wouldn't want to be drawn against in a knockout situation, then it would be us. On our day, fully loaded and playing the way we can, we are as good as anyone in the Conference even though we are part-time. We are a very dangerous outfit. I would definitely fancy us in a play-off situation"

Tony Incenzo