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After Carl Baker saw a 70th minute penalty saved by Dagenham keeper Ed Thompson the game looked set to be heading for a draw.

That was until Blinkhorn popped up at the far post to head home a Wayne Curtis cross for his sixth goal in the last seven games.

Said McIlroy: "I was delighted that with that and full praise to the lads for once again going right to the end.

"It wasn't the prettiest of games and we had to be patient. When we missed the penalty heads could have dropped but the lads stayed strong and kept battling to the death as they have done all season and got another important win."

Dagenham are a big and strong outfit and we had to stick with our jobs and we did that.

The struggling Daggers looked set for a point after keeper Thompson pulled off a fine penalty save from Baker but John Still's side could not hold on.

The visitors had chances themselves to take something from the game with new loan signing Ryan Hall heading over from close range on 16 minutes and midfielder Shane Huke missing the target from close range on the hour after an excellent Hall corner.

Ben Strevens also missed a late chance before Jamie Taylor saw a long range shot well saved by Shwan Jalal.

At the other end, Stewart Drummond came close for Morecambe but the game seemed to be heading for a draw until McIlroy's side clinched another of their trademark late winners.

Morecambe: Jalal 7, Yates 6, Bentley 8, Adams 6, Grand 7, Baker 6 (Curtis 76), Drummond 6, Stanley 6, Blinkhorn 6, Twiss 6 (Newby 76), Thompson. Subs not used: Davies, Howard, Hunter.

Dagenham: Thompson 6, Foster 7, Uddin 7, Boardman 7, Griffiths 6 (Patterson 46), Saunders 7 (Taylor 89), Huke 6, Southam 6, Hall 6 (ep Sloma 63), Strevens, Nurse. Subs not used: Hogan, Taiwo.

Referee: K Evans.

Attendance: 2,754.