Albion captain Danny Cullip today hailed a goalless home draw against relegation-haunted Rushden and Diamonds as a point gained in the quest for a play-off place.

The Seagulls' seven-match winning streak at Withdean came to a frustrating end against stubborn opponents.

Cullip, back from a two-match absence with a thigh injury, said: "We would rather be in the play-offs with a 0-0 draw than outside the play-offs. It could be a good point come the end of the season.

"It was frustrating for the players. Rushden had a game plan and it is hard to break down a team that sits behind the ball.

"Fair play to them, they came to do a job and they did it."

Albion have dropped a place to fifth but Swindon's win at Luton, Port Vale's defeat at Peterborough and only a draw for Bournemouth at home to Chesterfield enhanced their play-off hopes.

Manager Mark McGhee said: "Before the game we were three points clear of the team in seventh. Now it is four points."

McGhee was unhappy that a first-half header from Chris Iwelumo was disallowed by referee Lee Cable for a push on Rushden's player-manager Barry Hunter.

"You tell me," McGhee said. "Goals change games and I couldn't see anything wrong with it."

Hunter, celebrating Rushden's first point for five games, said: "I don't care why it was disallowed. He (Iwelumo) gave me a nudge."