Gary Hart defied a dodgy ankle to end a seven-month goal drought and help preserve Albion's unbeaten home record.

The Seagulls' braveheart went into Saturday's 2-2 draw against Swindon with his left ankle heavily strapped.

The right winger still managed to score Albion's first equaliser with a left-foot shot from 20 yards before going off in the second half.

"I turned my ankle last Monday, which put me out for a couple of days," Hart revealed.

"It's been a little bit sore, but I had it heavily strapped. It was just playing me up towards the end of the game.

"I don't know what the gaffer thought, but I wanted to play and when I trained on Friday I thought he might have a chat with me to let me know, but it was nice to be in the side after the injury and I appreciated that.

"It was nice for me to get off the mark as well. My confidence has been a little bit low because I hadn't scored.

"It just opened up for me. I am not known for my left foot shots, but I just let it swing. People thrive on goals sometimes and that's what I needed."

Hart's first goal since scoring against Wolves at Withdean in February and Darius Henderson's second penalty of the season cancelled out strikes in each half by Sam Parkin.

Boss Steve Coppell admitted Albion will have to improve to be involved in the Second Division promotion shake-up. "The positive we can take is the approach and attitude of the team," he said. "They never caved in.

"It wasn't a good performance and in key areas they were better than us. In certain man-to-man match-ups they were better than us.

"Whether that was just a one-off for my players or Swindon are just a better team than us time will tell.

"It's still too early to appreciate what the League is going to hold for both sides, but I would guess they are going to be there or thereabouts if they keep everyone fit.

"They have a thin squad but it's got real quality in it and I think it's fairly obvious we need to improve."

Swindon manager Andy King thinks Albion will get better.

"If we finish one place above Brighton we will be in the play-offs or automatically promoted," he predicted.

"They are one of the strongest sides in the division."