Albion boss Steve Coppell has warned that Bobby Zamora needs more help if the Seagulls are going to beat the drop.

Brian Deane's 73rd minute header gave Micky Adams' Leicester a 1-0 victory at Withdean last night to make it a happy home-coming for the former Albion manager.

It was the third 1-0 defeat for Coppell's strugglers during a run of three points from the last 21 and it kept them one place off the bottom ahead of today's First Division programme.

Zamora, Adams' top transfer target, was given no opportunities to add to his six goals in 16 games this season.

Coppell said: "We shouldn't be just about what Bobby Zamora is capable of doing. We have got ten other players.

"I have got Graham Barrett up front and other players who feel as if they can make positive contributions going forward. If we depend on Bobby to pull us out of this trouble it isn't going to happen. We cannot depend on one person.

"Leicester had defenders who last season were playing against Van Nistelroy and Henry, so Bobby Zamora doesn't frighten them. They have been used to playing against the best and we have got to contribute more from other areas.

"The margins are close but we are still coming out of these matches with nothing. It's all very well competing with sides, but you just need that little bit extra."

Deane was left unmarked from an Alan Rogers free-kick to keep second-placed Leicester firmly on course for automatic promotion.

Coppell admitted: "I did not feel at any stage as if we were really in the game. They really quietened it down and it was difficult for us to penetrate.

"I thought we defended really well at most of the set pieces, but the one that just escaped us was costly."

Adams, given a rapturous reception by Albion fans before the kick-off, said: "It was mixed emotions, that's for sure, but I am employed by Leicester now and we came here and achieved all our goals.

"I thought we dominated the game from start to finish and put on a professional performance.

"Fifty-one points before Christmas is going to give us a big boost. We have put 12 points between ourselves and third and we are two points away from Portsmouth now so it was a good day."

After the match, Adams was presented by Albion chairman Dick Knight with a Second Division championship medal and framed pictures.

The kick-off for Albion's home game against Portsmouth on January 18 has been brought forward to noon on police advice.

Coppell was heading for Selhurst Park today to watch fellow strugglers Stoke against Wimbledon. Rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday visit fourth-bottom Grimsby, while Bradford are at Watford.

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