HEYBRIDGE Swifts midfielder Lewis Dark is convinced his side can challenge for a play-off spot this season.

The Scraley Road side were beaten 3-1 by title-chasing Cheshunt on Saturday and prior to that had a disappointing home defeat against Dereham Town.

However, they were undefeated in their previous five games - winning four of them and keeping three clean sheets - giving cause for optimism for better times ahead.

Confident Dark believes a top-five spot is still achievable and also believes his side should target another cup run.

Swifts reached the Essex Senior Cup final last season and have another match in the competition tonight, at National League side Dagenham and Redbridge.

"We made a slow start but having added players, we're beginning to look more of a side," said former Maldon and Tiptree man Dark.

"The boys are getting to know each other better and the spirit levels have definitely been upped.

"There's still a long way to go and we jumped up a few places recently, after putting together our five-game unbeaten run.

"The teams that start well often fall away and with that in mind, we've got to be looking at the play-offs minimum and another good cup run.

"When we've got our full team out there, plus a couple of additions, I don't see any reason why that can't be achieved.

"I believe we'll be up there and it's exciting."

Dark believes his young team have had to adjust to the rigours of Ryman League football.

Many of the players are new to this level and it has therefore been a steep learning curve.

"We've got a young side and we had to learn how to play and manage games in this league," said Dark.

"I've played in it for a while and know what's needed. I'm one of the older ones at 27.

"But a lot of these boys have come out of academies and they're aged between 18 and 23.

"It's a different way of playing and a learning curve.

"Sometimes when you go to certain places and play certain teams, you've got to play ugly and try and grind out a win.

"In this league, every player has to be an eight or nine out of ten.

"It's all about runs and building momentum and if you can put five, six or seven positive results together you can climb the league quite quickly.

"It's just about getting those wins on the board but it's certainly intense, because you're playing Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday.

"It's very physically demanding and a strain on your body."

Dark recently had a spell on the sidelines due to a back injury but he made his return in Saturday's match at Cheshunt.

"I was only out for ten days but it felt like ten months," he said.

"From what I've seen, though, the boys are starting to understand what's needed at this level.

"There's a few of us getting back to fitness but the pleasing thing now is that there's quality to come in if people drop out.

"That's what you need - people fighting for their places."

Tonight's tie is a third-round encounter and Swifts will return to league action at Haringey Borough on Saturday, before hosting Tilbury next Tuesday.