Gary Hart is back on song for Albion after the disappointment of missing the opening day of the season.

Hart was a surprise omission from the starting line-up at Oldham, but he has been in the side for the last two games.

He celebrated with a much-improved performance in Monday's 2-1 win against QPR at Withdean.

Hart, now in his sixth season with the Seagulls, said: "The gaffer told me the day before the Oldham match that I was left out for certain reasons, the formation they played and things like that.

"I was a bit gutted because every one wants to play in the first game of the season, but at the end of the day it's a team game.

"There are plenty more opportunities and it was nice to be brought back for the second game in the Cup at Bristol Rovers and to start against QPR.

"You have got to keep your place because there are a lot of players who could take it this year.

"On Monday it was the first time in ages that I felt I played well, so I really enjoyed it.

"I personally haven't been happy with the way I have been playing for a little while, but on Monday I had a little change of heart."

It was Hart's penetrating cross early on which enabled Leon Knight to level for Albion with his third header in as many matches.

Boss Steve Coppell said: "I thought his crossing was top quality.

"The delivery for the goal and some of his other crosses were perfect, just behind the back four, making them make decisions facing their own goal.

"We put such an emphasis on crossing during training. The pleasing thing on Monday was that Harty was comfortable doing it.

"He was shaping the ball around the fullback and that is a great thing for a wide player to have in his locker, the ability to cross even when a man is there. Beckham never beats anybody, he just crosses it."

Coppell knows a thing or two about wide play, of course, after an illustrious playing career on the right flank for Manchester United and England.

One of his Old Trafford successors, Andrei Kanchelskis, is waiting in the wings as it were, so Hart's return to top form could not have come at a better time.

Hart said: "I'm hoping he (Kanchelskis) can play left! I've just got to deal with that as it comes. It's nice to have competition, but it's also nice to play.

"If I play well I don't see why I can't get that place instead of him.

"It's a challenge. Obviously I know where he has come from and his background, but you don't know what is going to happen.

"I'm not going to say I haven't got the ability to get in place of him.

"You can learn from him. He is probably still a good player, but I haven't seen him play in a game. He has looked sharp in training.

"It's nice to play with someone like that. I've played with a few big names now, like Dave Beasant, so that is something to tell the grandchildren!"

Hart is desperate to make amends for relegation from Division One last season, when he struggled for peak fitness after breaking a leg.

"We are so determined to get back up there," he said. "Last year nothing went for us at all. We had no luck, so we want to prove that we can have another go at it and stay in the division.

"We are always like that. We respond in the best way we can. Hopefully we will get back the luck we didn't have last year and keep winning games."

Hart's absence at Oldham and the rotation so far of central midfielders Richard Carpenter and Charlie Oatway emphasises that Coppell never shies away from tough decisions.

It was Oatway's turn to be on the bench on Monday, even though he is a lifelong Rangers fan.

"That was very difficult," Coppell admitted. "I just had a gut feeling that Charlie should play last week at Bristol Rovers. On Monday it was a gut feeling that Chippy should play.

"Charlie really worked hard in pre-season. He came back a few days early and has put himself out and about.

"I know it is not an ideal situation for either of those two players, but I know that over the course of the season I am going to need every member of the squad.

"That is not good for players to hear, because they want to be guaranteed starters, but I am quite comfortable with changing the team and formation. We have done it already this season."