IT WAS all about Slade in the Welsh capital on Saturday but it was also a pretty Sweet afternoon for Newport County AFC in the English capital.

The day started badly for Justin Edinburgh’s men with the news that Robbie Willmott’s foot injury is worse than expected and could keep him out for up to five months.

And it ended in frustration as the team coach broke down on the M4, forcing players and staff to take taxis home from Swindon.

But the last-gasp win at Dagenham & Redbridge means the squad will still have a spring in their step as they prepare for Tuesday’s home clash with Southend United.

A second away win of the season brought to an end a 390-minute goal drought on the road, a run that went back to that 1-0 victory at Portsmouth in August.

And Chris Zebroski’s superbly directed header from Andy Sandell’s cross in the 90th minute saw the Exiles sneak up to ninth in League Two.

But it wasn’t just about the three points; this was the sort of win that can work wonders for a side’s belief and confidence away from the comforts of home.

Edinburgh admitted he was baffled as to how the Exiles – now seemingly back to their best at Rodney Parade – have struggled to find the net on their travels for so long.

The stalemates at Tranmere and Shrewsbury, the latter with ten men at the death, were good battling points but County never looked like making the most of the man advantage at Oxford a fortnight ago and slipped to a disappointing defeat.

The boss was honest enough to call Saturday’s win a touch fortunate and it’s true that this wasn’t exactly a blockbuster performance.

The visitors did have to withstand an early barrage of attacks in the first half with Daggers youngster Ashley Hemmings causing Ismail Yakubu and makeshift right wing-back Yan Klukowski plenty of problems.

But after riding out the storm they realised that there was an opportunity to punish a side that had already lost four times at home this season.

They remained solid and resolute at the back and slowly began to grow in confidence as they added some of the attacking spark that has been missing away from home.

Most of the threat came from Sandell’s expert deliveries into the box and Joe Pigott really should have buried a header late in the first half.

The striker on loan from Charlton Athletic cut a frustrated figure at Prenton Park, Greenhous Meadow and the Kassam Stadium.

But he showed glimpses of his undoubted talent in the second half – the most visible a brilliant first time side foot effort that curled onto the outside of Mark Cousins’ post from 25 yards.

The red card for home captain Abu Ogogo for lashing out at Lee Minshull after a scuffle for the ball on 80 minutes certainly helped County’s cause.

But they were thankful to goalkeeper Joe Day for keeping them on level terms immediately before and afterwards, despite the man advantage.

Wayne Burnett opted to keep Newport-born Christian Doidge on the bench and instead called on veteran Jamie Cureton.

The 39-year-old proved a real handful and forced Day into an outstanding fingertip save before crashing another shot onto the bar.

After the red, Cureton was again denied by Day but finally Edinburgh’s men found that little bit of extra space they needed.

Once again it was Sandell with a perfect ball into the box and Zebroski climbed higher than everyone to find the top corner in the very last minute.

The goal went in right in front of the travelling support and it sparked wild celebrations between players and fans, which was good to see after some animosity at Oxford.

The bus may have faltered but the team are just getting up and running on the road.

Dagenham: Cousins, Batt, Connors, Doe, Saah, Ogogo, Chambers, Porter (Boucaud, 82), Labadie (Bingham, 45), Hemmings (Cureton, 71), Yusuff

Subs not used: O’Brien, Doidge, Green, Partridge

Booked: Saah, Chambers

Sent off: Ogogo

County: Day, Sandell, Hughes, Jones, Yakubu (Feely, 54), Klukowski, Minshull, Byrne, Loveridge (Flynn, 62), Pigott (O’Connor, 71), Zebroski

Subs not used: Pidgeley, Porter, Tancock, Collins

Booked: Feely, Sandell, Minshull

Referee: Tim Robinson

Attendance: 1,654 (154 County)

Argus star man: Joe Day