Peter Murphy admitted he was battered and bruised – but it was worth it to gain another valuable point on their travels for Stanley on Saturday.

The defender decided to stay up following a corner with five minutes to go and the Reds trailing 1-0 to Dagenham, who were looking to chalk up their first league win of the season.

Then Lee Molyneux played in the perfect cross which found the head of Murphy charging in – but it also led to a collision with the post.

"To be honest, I didn’t feel it immediately," said the 22-year-old. "It was only when I ran back to the halfway line that my arm and shoulder started hurting. It’s worth a bit of a bruise though.

"It was a great ball from Lee – we had a corner and I just decided to stay up and Lee’s put it in – and it’s a great cross.

"We came here to win so there is a sense of disappointment that we haven’t but we kept going and showed character and we do believe in ourselves.

"Last week Bradford scored late against us to equalise and it felt like a defeat. We have done the same to Dagenham – you have got to take it sometimes."

This was certainly a game that showed the resilience in Paul Cook’s new-look side.

In March, Stanley went to Dagenham and were comfortably leading 1-0 but a series of injuries, and a sending off, led to the Reds collapsing at the death and losing.

However this Stanley team have something more about them, pressing until the end and refusing to believe they are beaten.

And, if the referee had given a late penalty for a push on Karl Sheppard in the area, the Reds could have been celebrating a comeback of their own – and a three-game 100 per cent away record.

But still, a point was good enough as time was ticking on after John Still’s side had taken a 61st-minute lead through Luke Howell who got ahead of his markers to slide home Gavin Hoyte’s cross.

To be fair to Dagenham who, like last season, are battling against the drop even at this early stage, they looked a decent side with Michael Spillane lively, pacey winger Medy Elito causing problems and striker Brian Woodall a danger.

Cook admitted that the Reds never really got going although they still carved out a number of chances – and what they have done well so far this season is take them.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the first half with Molyneux making space for himself on the edge of the area before his shot cannoned off the crossbar.

Then, at the other end, Spillane headed against the woodwork from Elito’s free kick.

Cook was forced to change things around on the hour with George Miller (thigh) and Dean Winnard (hamstring) having late fitness tests before the match started and finally having to give way.

And between the break and the hour mark is when Dagenham upped the pace.

Dunbavin, who missed out on the npower League Two player of the month prize for August, pushed away a fierce Woodall strike while Abu Ogogo forced the Reds’ keeper to dive low.

Elito had all the time in the world to open the scoring but amazingly fired wide – but Howell made no mistake just after the hour.

Then, only after the Daggers scored, did the Reds come to life.

Stanley fans got their first chance to see new loan signing Danny Schofield and he played a lovely ball over the top for fellow sub Craig Lindfield, who hit the ball first time – over the bar.

There were then big penalty appeals when Sheppard got sandwiched between keeper Chris Lewington and a defender in the area but nothing was given.

Molyneux followed this up with an inviting ball across the goal – with Padraig Amond, Sheppard and Lindfield all stretching their legs out but not one could get the final touch.

It was fine margins and Dagenham could have had three points in the bag with 12 minutes left but Dwight Gayle’s blast was well saved by Dunbavin.

Stanley continued to press and probe and finally found their way though thanks to an unlikely hero in Murphy. And had referee Steve Martin pointed to the penalty spot after a barge on Sheppard in injury time it might be a happier trip back to Lancashire – but Cook was happy to concede that it would have been harsh on Dagenham to lose.

"We didn’t play well," said the Stanley boss. "We never got going and they were in the ascendancy after half-time; we had our hands full and they scored their goal.

"Then we got on top and we kept going and got the equaliser and had that little bit of luck.

"I actually think once they scored it seemed to ignite us into our best passage of play.

"Dagenham will be disappointed they didn’t win but we had that at Bradford last week.

"Not many teams will come here and win and you have to show all teams respect.

"The lads have got great tenacity, it’s a great compliment that they can keep going to try and get an equaliser and every point you pick up in this league is very important.

"There is still a long way to go. We are still trying to get the lads to blend and they are responding but we just have to keep going and doing things the right way."