Shaun Pearson insists "nothing has changed" since the departure of Dean Keates and he remains optimistic Wrexham can clinch a play-off place.

Keates left to take over as Walsall boss on March 16 with Wrexham fourth in the National League and his assistant, Andy Davies, was installed as manager until the end of the season.

The promotion challenge has stalled in recent weeks and just one win in seven outings leaves Wrexham seventh and in danger of missing out on the play-offs with just two games to go.

Dover and Ebbsfleet would climb above Wrexham if they win their games in hand, although the Reds are only four points behind third placed Sutton with a number of teams challenging for the six play-off spots.

Pearson can't understand the sudden decline since Keates exited The Racecourse but the Reds' captain stressed all is not lost.

"Obviously we have seen a slight impact results-wise," said Pearson.

"If you had of asked me at the time I would have said it was the right decision and I still believe it was the right decision.

"Nothing has changed as such - Saturday was the best we have played all year - but obviously results say otherwise so it is a hard one to put your finger on.

"Try and win these last two games and things can still turn around pretty quickly.

"If you get 75 points you would be very unlucky to finish outside the top seven."

Wrexham suffered a third defeat in four games as they lost 2-1 against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.

Paul Rutherford gave Wrexham the lead and the Reds, playing some of their best attacking football of the season, had a host of chances but the Daggers scored twice in the second half to secure victory.

Pearson hailed the performance but knows Wrexham should have put the game to bed.

"Some people were getting excited about challenging for top spot, I kept saying a few games ago that my biggest thing was getting a big enough points gap to the chasing teams," said Pearson.

"It sounds ridiculous but I wouldn't say too much has gone wrong.

"Saturday was probably our best performance of the year. Going forward, we created more chances than what we have in any other game without a doubt.

"When we went ahead and we had the chances to go 2-0 up, that summed us up.

"We have had that plenty of times where we have had the opportunity to kill the game off and we don't, and then the opposition manages to work their way back in."

Although it was a chance to pick up a much needed win, Pearson believes matches where Wrexham have conceded late equalisers have been more costly.

Wrexham visit Leyton Orient on Saturday and Pearson is looking for three points ahead of what could be a winner-takes-all final day showdown with fifth placed Fylde.

"Saturday won't be a game where you look back and think we cost ourselves if we don't get in the play-offs," added Pearson.

"It will be more the games where you concede a last minute equaliser at Eastleigh and home to Sutton.

"They are the games which were a real kick in the teeth and the real points dropped because Saturday we couldn't have done any more as a team.

"Yes, it was an opportunity missed in terms of chances created but we did everything we could.

"We are still positive and although there are no guarantees, I think if we win our last two games we will probably be in there.

"All we can do is go about our business and hopefully get three points on Saturday."