Zamora goal vital for morale

It carried far more significance than simply completing his fourth hat-trick for the club.

Zamora's emphatic header from a Gary Hart cross with a minute left saved the Seagulls from a psychological hammer blow to their promotion challenge.

Imagine how damaging it might have been if, having thrown away 2-0 cushions against Chesterfield and Blackpool over Christmas, Albion had let slip a much-needed win after leading three times against a team with only a single away point all season?

Instead, with other results also going spectacularly their way, they have a chance to jump back up into the second automatic promotion place at Chesterfield tonight.

Hart, whose first home goal for ten months was the prelude to an astonishing afternoon, admitted: "If we had drawn we would have been distraught. We were disappointed anyway, but it was a big result.

"We have got a never-say-die attitude, but it plays on the back of your mind sometimes when you haven't won for a while. Now we haven't got to worry about that any more.

"You could tell before the game we were really psyched up for it. Cambridge being at the bottom didn't mean a thing, because we usually struggle against teams that are down there.

"We let ourselves down with the three goals we conceded, but we got through it and came out on top."

Boss Peter Taylor appreciated how vital victory was as well. "The result was very important, because we hadn't won since December 8," he said.

"Some of the staff get grey and old, managers get grey, old and bald! I cannot believe the way we conceded the goals, but give Cambridge credit. John Taylor has got them playing.

"The way we conceded the third goal, the penalty, was the worst. We are 3-2 up with not long to go and with a free-kick on the edge of the box and we decided to go backwards. I couldn't really understand that one, but thankfully we got away with it."

Everything appeared to be going according to script when Hart put Albion ahead after 25 minutes. Taylor changed to a 4-3-3 formation to "get after" the inexperienced visitors and the right winger rewarded early domination with a goal straight off the training ground.

Nathan Jones' long throw towards the near post was headed into his path by Danny Cullip and Hart found the roof of the net with a swivelling right-foot effort.

It took Cambridge only two minutes to draw level. Teenager Shane Tudor, pushed up front for the first time, raced through the middle, rounded the onrushing Simon Royce and calmly slotted into the vacant net.

That changed the whole complexion of the contest, so Taylor decided some tactical tinkering was required for the second half. Off went Jones and on came Daniel Webb for his home League debut as Albion reverted back to 4-4-2.

Within five minutes of the restart Zamora ended his mini-drought, all be it in controversial circumstances. When he was fouled by Stevland Angus ref Phil Prosser initially awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area.

Albion quickly drew Prosser's attention to the linesman, who had his flag across his chest. A free-kick became a penalty and Zamora put his miss against Preston behind him with a spot-kick struck in the same place but with more power, which sent Lionel Perez the wrong way.

The lead lasted a little longer second time around, four minutes to be precise. Simon Royce marred his home debut by pushing a long-range shot from Paul Wanless straight into the path of Luke Guttridge, gifting him the easiest of tap-ins.

Taylor opted for another re-think, simultaneously introducing Robbie Pethick and Lee Steele for Kerry Mayo and Paul Brooker. Vindication was swift as a cross from Pethick reached Zamora at the back post. He cut inside before demonstrating his right foot is pretty useful as well with a low drive which restored Albion's advantage.

Surely they wouldn't let it go again, yet Cambridge re-enforced the concept that sides are at their most vulnerable when they have just scored.

Albion had been in front once more for five minutes when Pethick pushed sub Alex Revell. The resulting penalty from Wanless was converted at a price, because by the time he had taken it Cambridge were down to ten men.

In an incident off the ball moments earlier as the players gathered on the edge of the area Andy Duncan received a straight red card for stamping.

It must go down as the craziest sending off of the season. Zamora made the most of Duncan's absence from the centre of defence when he soared to seal the points with his 22nd goal of the campaign.

"I'm pleased to get on the scoresheet again and to get a hat-trick," he said. "We've had a funny little spell of not being able to hold onto leads and we had a little hiccup again, but we came through it.

"Not scoring has been on my mind a little bit. We got a lot more crosses in, which was something I thought we could increase. That resulted in a couple of my goals."

Taylor said: "Bobby is not playing to the best of his form at the moment, but he scored three goals. As soon as the first one went in from the penalty I think he felt as though he was back.

"He has been working as hard as possible. It hasn't been going for him as it was when I first joined, but all players go through it in their careers."

Cambridge manager John Taylor had no complaints about Duncan's crucial dismissal. "The ref got it spot on," he declared. "I asked Andy if he had stamped on somebody and he said yes. I can't defend him at all. I don't know what went through the boy's mind. As soon as you go down to ten men away from home it's going to be difficult and we paid the ultimate price by conceding the late goal."

Duncan's stupidity was matched by the Albion fan who threw an object, resembling a plastic bottle, as Guttridge celebrated his goal in front of the south stand. It had to be recovered from the pitch by a steward.

Senseless though that was, given the ongoing FA investigation into Chesterfield's visit to Withdean, nothing could detract from a wonderfully daft match.