Albion boss Peter Taylor dropped a bombshell at Boundary Park by leaving 25-goal Bobby Zamora out of the starting line-up.

Zamora was among the substitutes along with new signing Junior Lewis for the clash against one of the Seagulls' promotion rivals.

Zamora has been working his socks off, often alone upfront, and Taylor explained: "We have given him a well deserved rest."

Probably at the back of Taylor's mind also is Monday's Withdean showdown against leaders Reading. He will want Zamora as fresh as possible for that one.

Albion proved on three occasions last season, in draws at Halifax and Rochdale and a win at Barnet, that they can get League results without Zamora.

His absence left Gary Hart, scorer of the only goal in that Barnet victory, as the leading marksman in the Seagulls' line-up with four.

Daniel Webb made his fourth League start in place of Zamora and Paul Brooker was preferred to Nathan Jones on the left following Tuesday's 1-0 home success against Tranmere.

The versatile Lewis trained with his new team mates for the first time after his move from Leicester on a three-month loan, which makes him available right through to the Division Two play-off final on May 11.

Oldham were unchanged after a sixth League win out of ten at Notts County last Saturday.

They also included a new signing on the bench, Argentinian midfielder Cristian Colusso.

The 24-year-old has joined the Latics for the rest of the season from Premier League club Rosario Central and he is rated in the £2. million class by his club.

Oldham went into the match unbeaten at Boundary Park in the League since Mick Wadsworth took over from Albion's record buy Andy Ritchie as manager at the end of October.

Their only two Second Division defeats in front of their own fans were against the high-flying pair of Reading and Bristol City either side of the 3-0 pasting at Withdean which launched Taylor's reign.

Taylor has happy memories of Boundary Park. He spent four games on loan to the Lancastrian club from Leyton Orient 19 years ago.

On his last visit as a manager two years ago Gillingham, with Lewis in their ranks, won 3-1 on their way to promotion via the play-offs.

Oldham: Paul Rachubka; Scott McNiven, John Sheridan, Matt Appleby, Carlo Corazzin, David Eyres, Paul Murray, David Beharall, David Reeves, Chris Armstrong, Julien Baudet. Subs: Kelly, Duxbury, Holden, Smart, Colusso.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Danny Cullip, Simon Morgan, Paul Rogers, Gary Hart, Charlie Oatway, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Robbie Pethick, Daniel Webb. Subs: Lewis, Jones, Melton, Lee, Zamora.

Referee: Mr C. Foy (St Helens).