Albion's fight for First Division survival is going to the final day of the season.

The Seagulls kept alive their hopes of a miraculous escape, with the help of arch-rivals Crystal Palace.

A comfortable victory against mid-table Watford, combined with a 1-0 defeat for fellow strugglers Stoke against Palace at Selhurst Park, means Steve Coppell's battlers are still hanging on grimly to the chance of staying up.

They will survive on goal difference if they win at relegated Grimsby a week on Sunday and Stoke lose at home to high-flying Reading.

A crowd of 6,841 at Withdean, basking in glorious sunshine, saw the Seagulls saunter to their second win in eight matches and biggest of the season.

The result was never in doubt from the moment Dean Blackwell powered them into an early lead.

The former Wimbledon centre-half headed home a left-wing cross by Kerry Mayo in the 13th minute, his second goal for the club.

Mayo, runner-up to captain Danny Cullip for player-of-the-season, also played a part in Albion's second goal 14 minutes later.

His long throw found its way through a crowded six-yard box for the impressive Paul Kitson to find the roof of the net from point blank range.

Watford, looking like a side with nothing to play for, offered little by way of response, although Dave Beasant made a fine save to foil Jason Norville just before the break.

Bobby Zamora, almost certainly making his last home appearance for the club, signed off in style with a soaring header on 72 minutes from a Nathan Jones cross, his 13th of the season.

The crowd erupted a few minutes later as news reached them of Dele Adebola's goal for Palace against Stoke.

Substitute Charlie Oatway rounded off a resounding triumph by turning in a cross from fellow replacement Graham Barrett two minutes into stoppage time.

Albion now have everything to play for against Grimsby at Blundell Park.

Paul Brooker and Richard Carpenter face a race to be fit after missing today's match through illness, while Gary Hart and Simon Rodger both went off injured.

Full matchday coverage: thisisthealbion.co.uk