Introduced as a substitute in the second half, Burchill struck with six minutes remaining to rescue a point.

It was hardly a classic, the one-time Celtic and Portsmouth striker cashing in on hesitant play in the defence.

"I gambled by getting in there and it paid off," said Burchill. "I'm delighted to get my first for the club but the important thing is that it got us something from the game."

Manager Mark Robins reckoned it should have been all over by half-time. "We had so many chances in the first half it should have been sorted out then," he said. "But this is a difficult place to come, they make it tough for you but we've come back to get a good point although we know it should have been all three."

The best chance fell to Danny Harrison midway through the first half but he fired wide.

Alex Rhodes also could have done better with a couple of clear openings and Drewe Broughton and midfielder Cummins went close.

Dagenham were still a handful at times themselves. Their goal, four minutes into the second half, was a beauty, Paul Benson unleashing a volley from 18 yards on the angle which flew beyond Andy Warrington.

Robins rang the changes to try and Burchill, on with 25 minutes left, seized the moment.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Roberts; Nurse (Southam 83), Okuonghae, Uddin, Griffiths; Saunders, Taiwo, Gain, Graham (Ritchie 86); Strevens, Benson. Unused substitutes: Thompson, Thomas, Nwokeji.

Rotherham United: Warrington; Tonge, Sharps, Fenton, Nicholas; Harrison (Hudson 82), Mills (Burchill 65), Cummins; Reid, Broughton (Yates 74), Rhodes. Unused substitutes: Cann, Joseph.

Referee: D Phillips (Sussex).

Man of the match: Nick Fenton.