The champagne corks were popping around Withdean as Albion secured promotion to the Championship.

With Gus Poyet's side needing victory to clinch a return to the second tier for the first time in five years, a thriller of a game unfolded against a plucky Daggers side needing the points for completely different reasons.

As the game swung one way and the other, Albion finally emerged victorious thanks to Ashley Barnes' 63rd minute winner.

The final whistle, on the final evening game at Withdean, was greeted with scenes of jubilation, both on and off the pitch, with victory made all the sweeter by Southampton's 2-0 defeat at Rochdale.

The win extends Albion's lead to the top of League One to 16 points, meaning the championship can now be clinched at Walsall on Saturday - but the table-toppers were made to sweat for victory.

While there was a real buzz of anticipation around Withdean prior to kick-off, there was a stunned silence after just 21 seconds when John Akinde's deflected effort beat Casper Ankergren.

Gus Poyet's side - clearly stung by the goal - hit back almost immediately, when Chris Wood drilled over from close range before Adam El-Abd tried his luck from 20 yards.

Craig Noone also let fly from distance and his 25-yard piledriver looked destined for the top corner before 41-year-old keeper Tony Roberts somehow got his fingertips to the ball.

Roberts' goal was certainly leading a charmed life as Albion turned the screw.

Another stinging Noone effort on 18 minutes hit the crossbar but from Elliott Bennett's resulting corner, El-Abd helped the ball on for Inigo Calderon to tuck home from close range.

The goal sent Withdean into raptures but before the home crowd could find their seats, Albion went two up as Glenn Murray raced in at the far post to head home Craig Noone's deep cross from the left.

With Daggers fighting for their League One lives, they still looked a threat on the break and Albion hearts were in mouths on the half hour mark when a slip by El-Abd let in Mark Arber.

The experience midfielder then played a deft ball to Akinde whose fierce drive was superbly palmed to safety by Ankergren.

Akinde then also brought another good save out of the Albion keeper, but with news filtering through that Southampton had fallen two behind at Rochdale, there was nothing that could dampen the spirits.

But like the start of the opening half, Albion were slow out of the traps after the break and Dagenham grabbed an equaliser on 48 minutes when Jon Nurse's shot on the turn got a touch off Calderon and rolled in.

It then went from bad to worse three minutes later when El-Abd brought down the dangerous Akinde inside the box and Danny Green stepped up to drill home the resulting penalty.

In a frenzied spell, Murray then headed a Bennett free-kick against the bar and the excitement reached fever pitch on 56 minutes when Liam Bridcutt let fly with a 25-yard thunderbolt that beat Roberts all ends up.

With both sides desperate for all three points, the game was one of all-out attack. El-Abd again went close when he headed Bennett's corner over the bar.

But where El-Abd missed, sub Ashley Barnes went one better moments later, heading home Bennett's corner with his first touch of the game to put Albion back in front.

Dagenham continued to pose a threat on the break, with El-Abd picking up a yellow for scything down Akinde - and from the resulting free-kick Ankergren was again called into action as he beat out Green's thunderous free-kick.

Arber also went close but Albion held out and final whistle was greeted with wild scenes of jubilation as the dream became reality... Brighton will be playing their first season at the Amex Stadium in the Championship!

Albion: (4-4-2) Ankergren; Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter; Bennett, Bridcutt, Dicker(Kishishev 85), Noone (Sparrow 65); Murray, Wood (Barnes 58). Subs: Brezovan (GK), Dunk, Navarro, Sandaza.

Dagenham & Redbridge: (4-4-2) Roberts; Arber, Vincelot, Doe, Ilesanmi; Lee (Currie 83), Gain, Ogogo, Green; Nurse, Akinde. Subs: Lewington (GK), Antwi, McCrory, Savage, Bingham, Lancaster.

Attendance: 7619 (239 Dagenham & Redbridge).

Referee: Roger East.

Yellow Cards: El-Abd, Ankergren (Albion); Vincelot, Ilesanmi (Dagenham & Redbridge).