Ashley Barnes headed a second-half winner as Albion sealed a place in the Championship with a rip-roaring 4-3 win at home to Dagenham and Redbridge.

The Seagulls twice came from behind to clinch the victory which sealed promotion and prompted a spontaneous pitch invasion at the end.

The evening got off to the worst possible start as Dagenham went ahead after just 21 seconds when giant striker John Akinde turned Adam El-Abd before unleashing a shot from the edge of the area which deflected off Tommy Elphick to wrongfoot Casper Ankergren.

But Albion's response was sparkling, led by the dynamic Craig Noone who first forced veteran keeper Tony Roberts into a tremendous save and then rattled the crossbar after another direct run.

However, two goals in a minute turned the game on its head. El-Abd helped on an Elliott Bennett corner for Inigo Calderon to poke home his seventh of the seaon on 18 minutes.

Within 60 seconds Noone slung over a cross from the left which Glenn Murray headed home despite the attempts of a defender on the line to clear.

Dagenham refused to buckle, though, and Ankergen was twice forced to save well from Akinde.

The warning had not been heeded as Dagenham scored twice in the first six minutes of the second half to go back in front, first Jon Nurse scoring with a shot which deflected off Calderon and then Danny Green converted a penalty after El-Abd brought down Akinde.

Again Albion responded and drew level with a stunning 20-yard strike from Liam Bridcutt which arrowed into the top corner with Roberts flailing.

Then on 63 minutes substitute Ashley Barnes rose unchallenged to head home a Bennett corner for 4-3.

Here is how the drama unfolded.

Pre-match: Albion made one change to the starting line-up with Elphick replacing the suspended Greer. Calderon took over as captain and Dunk returned on the bench as defensive cover.

1st min: There is a great atmosphere in the ground as Albion get under way kicking from west to east.

21 seconds – GOAL: Albion 0 Dagenham 1. Worst possible start. John Akinde spun Adam El-Abd and then unleashed a shot which deflected off Tommy Elphick to wrong-foot Casper Ankergren as it nestled in the net.

2nd min: Albion almost level after 90 seconds as Calderon crossed from the right and Chris Wood fired over the bar.

7th min: A direct run by Noone, who worked the ball on to his left foot before his shot was deflected for a corner.

8th min: Adam El-Abd shot just over the bar from a Chris Wood lay-off.

* Albion 0 Dagenham 1. Last updated after 10 mins of first half.

12th min: Terrific 25-yard strike from Noone was heading for the top corner but Tony Roberts made a wonderful save to tip it over the bar.

17th min: Another super strike from Noone rattled the crossbar with Roberts beaten.

18th min - GOAL: Albion 1 Dagenham 1. Bennett delivered a corner from the right, El-Abd helped the ball on and Calderon turned it home from close range.

19th min - GOAL: Albion 2 Dagenham 1. Two goals in a minute. Noone lofted over a cross from the left which Murray headed home despite the attempts to clear by a defender on the line..

* Albion 2 Dagenham 1. Last updated after 20 mins of first half.

23rd min: Bennett had a chance for a third after running through the middle but the ball wouldn't come down for him.

28th min: Right-footed shot by Akinde from the edge of the box was touched away for a corner by Ankergren.

* Albion 2 Dagenham 1. Last updated after 30 mins of first half.

40th min: Since going ahead, Albion have been pushed back by a Dagenham side giving it a real go.

* Albion 2 Dagenham 1. Last updated after 40 mins of first half.

41st min: Dagenham's Green booked for an over-committed challenge.

42nd min: Defender Ilesanmi sliced a clearance out for a corner.

43rd min: Ankergren saved well from Akine's fizzing 20-yard low shot.

Half-time – Albion 2 Dagenham 1: It was a great response from Albion after going behind so early on although Dagenham have come back well themselves with Akinde twice denied by Ankergren.

48th min - GOAL: Albion 2 Dagenham 2. Almost a carbon copy of Dagenham's first goal as Vincelot threaded a pass to Jon Nurse who turned well and his shot deflected off Calderon past a helpless Ankergren.

51st min - GOAL: Albion 2 Dagenham 3. El-Abd brought down Akinde for a penalty which Green confidently tucked away.

52nd min: Bennett's free-kick was headed on to the top of the bar by Murray.

* Albion 2 Dagenham 3. Last updated after 10 mins of second half.

56th min - GOAL: Albion 3 Dagenham 3. A tremendous 20-yard bullet strike from Liam Bridcutt arrowed into the top corner following Bennett's burst down the right.

58th min: Barnes on for Wood.

61st min: Excellent header by El-Abd from Bennett's corner just cleared the crossbar.

63rd min - GOAL: Bennett corner from the right and Barnes rose highest to head home.

65th min: Sparrow on for Noone.

* Albion 4 Dagenham 3. Last updated after 20 mins of second half.

68th min: Vincelot booked for a foul on the edge of the area and Bennett put the free-kick wide.

73rd min: Ilesnami booked for a foul.

* Albion 4 Dagenham 3. Last updated after 30 mins of second half.

78th min: Murray almost deflected in a wayward Calderon shot.

82nd min: El-Abd lucky to escape with a yellow card for chopping down Nurse on the edge of the area. Ankergren beat away Green's free-kick.

83rd min: Darren Currie on for Daggers for Lee.

Attendance: 7,619 (239 away).

* Albion 4 Dagenham 3. Last updated after 40 mins of second half.

87th min: Mark Arber lobbed Ankergren but wide of the far post. Ankergren is furious with his team-mates.

92nd min: Ankergren booked for time wasting.

Full-time – Albion 4 Dagenham 3: Albion are promoted. Cue the celebrations.