It was the moment that stole the show at City’s post-Wembley party.

Phil Parkinson’s six-minute address to guests and players promised that nothing would be left behind in the charge for promotion.

“Every single game will be played like it’s our last,” he promised. “We’ll try to run harder and tackle harder than the opposition.

“We’ll take that positive frame of mind into every game and if we haven’t done enough at the end, then we’ll hold our hands up.”

Parkinson has stressed the message that there is still so much to play for. With the Capital One Cup final gone, the fight to get out of League Two intensifies.

City hope to recreate the party atmosphere from Wembley against Dagenham tonight by encouraging fans to bring their flags, scarves and banners to crank up the noise. It is an immediate opportunity to build momentum with games in hand on the teams ahead of them.

Changes are planned and Michael Nelson, who sat out Sunday, could be back to partner Andrew Davies in the heart of defence.

Nelson is ready to do whatever it takes to get City back into the mix.

He said: “It’s as much about the horrible side of football. It’s not necessarily the teams who pass the ball round and entertain who get out of this division.

“You need to have two sides to your game – you’ve also got to be able to grind results out. Hopefully that’s something we can do in the latter part of the season.”

Parkinson admitted it will be strange not to face John Still, who left Dagenham yesterday to replace Paul Buckle at Luton.

He added: “It’s a great opportunity for John, who obviously wanted a new challenge. He will be a huge loss because he’s been at Dagenham for so long but I’m sure (interim boss) Wayne Burnett will be relishing this chance.

“We know what to expect from them. I don’t think their style of play is going to change at all in one day.

“We know the job in hand. We’ll pick a team of fresh players.

There will be changes and we’ve got to make sure we have a team who are physically strong because that’s what Dagenham are about.”