Albion's first corner, taken by Rodger, should have produced the opening goal. It was flicked on by Mayo, but Blackwell headed over when well placed.

Watford had forced the first corner of the contest in the fourth minute through Smith.

Ardley's delivery was headed upwards by Cullip and then Ingimarsson and Hart rather got in the way of each other before the danger was cleared.

Kitson looked sharp for the Seagulls in the early stages with a couple of good runs in behind the Watford defence through the inside left channel.

Robinson made a superb saving tackle inside his own area when Zamora's pass threatened to release Hart.

Moments later Rodger's centre rebounded off the chest of Hart to give Chamberlain a routine stop Albion's bright opening continued with Kitson cushioning a delightful header into the path of Zamora from Blackwell's ball out of defence.

Cox was in quickly to tackle before Albion's leading marksman had the opportunity to pull the trigger.

Blackwell made amends for his earlier miss by putting Albion ahead in the 13th minute.

Rodger's short pass freed Mayo on the left wing. His cross was met by the unmarked former Wimbledon stopper with a thumping header from close range which gave Chamberlain no chance.

Blackwell hardly ever scored during his long association with Wimbledon, but he was also on target for the Seagulls with a header from a free-kick against Wolves at Withdean in February.

Albion, with Kitson particularly prominent, were playing some good stuff in the sunshine.

In their next attack Ingimarsson fed the overlapping Watson for a deep cross which Zamora almost headed into Kitson's path.

Zamora partnered Kitson from the kick-off for the first time against Sheffield Wednesday. How Albion must wish the former West Ham marksman had been available on a regular basis this season, rather than plagued by injury problems.

Beasant had been given little to do so far by the visitors, but he had to rush outside his area to head clear when Smith chased Robinson's punt upfield.

Midway through the half Zamora's angled drive gave Chamberlain a comfortable catch at his near post.

Zamora apologised to Kitson as he had intended to find his partner with a cross instead of going for goal himself.

Albion stretched their lead on 27 minutes with Kitson's second goal in five games.

Mayo's long throw somehow found its way through a crowd of players for Kitson to find the roof of the net from virtually under the crossbar.

It was due reward for his sharpness and added to his clincher as a substitute in the win at Reading earlier this month.

Hart was hurt in the goalmouth melee arising from Mayo's throw and required treatment before returning to the action.

Ingimarsson blazed high over the bar when Cullip caused confusion in the Watford ranks from another of Mayo's long throws.

The Seagulls were very much in command, with little to suggest that Watford were capable of mounting a response.

Hart failed to recover from his knock. He left to a generous ovation, Barrett taking his place in the 34th minute.

Barrett immediately combined with Zamora down the right before crossing just too high for Kitson.

Watford were performing just like a team with nothing to play for and longing for the summer break.

The match was now being played at a relaxed pace, but the visitors suddenly came close to halving their arrears five minutes from the break.

Norville burrowed between Blackwell and Cullip, only for Beasant to spread himself to make a fine save.

It was another example of Beasant's exemplary powers of concentration. In several matches he has made good stops when otherwise having little to do.

Coppell, his future uncertain, received a standing ovation from supporters in the south stand as he sprinted around the touchline to take his seat in the dugout for the second half.

Coppell's one-year contract runs until October. Chairman Dick Knight wants to keep him but it remains to be seen whether he wants to stay.

Zamora, almost certainly making his farewell home appearance for the club, could have stretched the lead two minutes into the restart.

Watson's quickly taken free-kick picked out his unguarded run towards the near post but Zamora steered his volley straight at Chamberlain.

Slack marking by the Seagulls could have been costly a couple of minutes later. Mahon had nobody near him when he headed well wide from Ardley's corner.

The Seagulls made a second substitution six minutes into the second half. Rodger, who has been playing since November with a broken toe, was replaced in midfield by Oatway.

The pattern of Watford possession continued, but they still lacked a cutting edge, managing only to give Beasant a couple of comfortable catches from crosses.

A shot by Johnson from outside the box was charged down by Cullip at the expense of a corner, the visitors' fifth of the contest.

It came to nothing, as was the case with most of Watford's endeavours.

Watford made a change upfront as the game drifted towards an uneventful conclusion.

Fitzgerald, signed from non-League Northwood, came on for his second appearance for Watford at the expense of Smith.

A promising three-man move by Albion brought a subdued crowd back to life.

Kitson back-heeled inside the area to Zamora from Barrett's pass.

Zamora twisted and turned before dinking across to the far post where Barrett, having made up ground, headed straight at Chamberlain.

Zamora put the Seagulls out of sight 18 minutes from time with a soaring header from Jones' penetrating left-wing centre, his 13th of the season.

Watford immediately introduced Fisken for Swonnell for a cause which was well and truly lost.

The crowd erupted as news filtered through that arch-rivals Crystal Palace had taken the lead against Stoke at Selhurst Park, thereby keeping the Seagulls' survival hopes alive.

They thought it was all over ... and it was on 90 minutes, as Charlie Oatway gave Albion their fourth, right-footed from the centre of the penalty area off a cross by Barrett.