Albion midfielder Steve Melton has targeted an extended run in the team after ousting Charlie Oatway.

Melton made his first League start under Peter Taylor against leaders Reading at Withdean on Monday.

He celebrated his call-up with the second goal in an inspired 3-1 win for the second-placed Seagulls.

Melton has not started successive matches since April but the former Nottingham Forest and Stoke utility player is poised to retain his place for Saturday's visit by fellow high-flyers Huddersfield.

"It was pleasing to start," Melton said. "You have got to be patient and I have waited a good few months.

"I have been on the outside for the last few weeks. Hopefully I can stay on the inside now.

"Playing against the League leaders is a different matter completely from the LDV appearances that I made earlier in the season.

"You can only do as well as you can when you are chosen to play and hopefully I did that. Once you have been given the shirt you have to try and keep it."

Melton's goal was only the second of his career in the League and first for 11 months.

It helped reduce Reading's lead to four points and Melton believes Albion, with a match in hand, are on course for back-to-back promotions, particularly with eight of their remaining 14 fixtures at Withdean.

"We have been up there all season and we can do it," said the 23-year-old. "We have got enough quality and we have a great record at home.

"Teams don't like coming here. I think sometimes they think it's a bit beneath them."

Oatway, left out of the squad on Monday, is expected to figure in today's reserve team game against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road (2.0).

So too are the five unused subs against Reading: Paul Rogers, Kerry Mayo, Nathan Jones, Kerry Mayo and David Lee, plus out-of-favour striker Lee Steele.

Last night's Sussex Senior Cup tie for the reserves against Hassocks was postponed.

Huddersfield, six points adrift of Albion in fifth, come to Withdean in hot form. They have lost only one of their last 18 League outings.

Brentford went fourth in the Second Division, six points behind Albion, after they came from behind to beat Cardiff 2-1 at Griffin Park last night.

Tranmere were 2-0 winners at home to Northampton.