Geoff Pitcher is pinching himself over a remarkable rise in his career path.

In a matter of months Albion's diminutive midfielder has gone from the prospect of life in the Ryman League to the top of the Second Division.

The former Kingstonian kingpin is enjoying every minute of his return to the full-time ranks, especially now that he has forced his way into the starting line-up.

Pitcher made a promising full debut at Wrexham last Friday. He followed that up with his first home start in Tuesday's last-gasp triumph over Stoke, which restored the Seagulls as early pacesetters.

"I had some good times at Kingstonian in the three years I was there, but this is a different kettle of fish," he said. "I'm just happy to be involved.

"I did everything I wanted to achieve in non-league, winning major cups and representing my country. I felt the time was right to go back into full-time training."

Pitcher was the only summer recruit Micky Adams paid a transfer fee for. Now the Albion boss has revealed he snapped up the pint-sized playmaker for half the price.

Kingstonian, relegated from the Nationwide Conference to the Ryman League last season, claimed the fee was £50,000.

That was the figure which has been widely reported, but Adams says he cost only £25,000.

Either way it looks a bargain on all the early evidence and the signs are that Pitcher, who had spells with Millwall, Colchester and Watford, will get better as he continues to re-adjust to football being his livelihood.

"As I get fitter and more used to the football you will hopefully see the real me come out," predicted the former builder. "I've found the football side not too bad, but it's the fitness and getting back into the swing of training full-time.

"Gradually I am getting back to the level that is required. Obviously I must be quite close to that, otherwise the gaffer wouldn't consider me.

"We trained two nights a week at Kingstonian and sometimes not at all. We would play on a Saturday and then it would be a case of see you next Saturday.

"It's tough to adjust, but I played in virtually every game in my three years at Kingstonian. I have got my match fitness, but it's different when you have got to train every day."

Pitcher, 25, had made three substitute appearances before earning his call-up in North Wales last Friday.

"The gaffer told me after training on Thursday," he said. "At the beginning of the season he told me he wanted to ease me in gently.

"All I wanted to do was get a few reserve games under my belt, get my fitness right, get used to full-time training again and then see what happened. I thoroughly enjoyed it at Wrexham. It was a bit fast and furious and I started to tire towards the end, but I expected that. Overall I was very pleased."

Pitcher almost scored with a first-half header from a Kerry Mayo cross. Against Stoke, Adams played him in the hole between the midfield and forwards to exploit his attacking instincts.

"My main strength is that I score goals from midfield," Pitcher said. "I think that is one of the reasons the gaffer brought me here."

Another is his ability to open up defences. Pitcher has added a creative dimension to the fierce competition for places in the centre of the park.

"The Conference is a very strong league in itself now," he said. "A lot of players in it are dropping out of the League, but I am playing with better players week in and week out now and I want to improve.

"Micky said when I spoke to him in the summer that he had a lot of good players here.

"Obviously when you sign you want to play games, but when I got here and saw how good the competition was I felt it would only improve me as a player.

"Every one of the midfielders at this club are capable of playing in the Football League, so there is great competition. That shows with the team going top."

Albion's strength in depth was emphasised again on Tuesday when Andy Crosby and Dirk Lehmann did not even make it on to the bench.

"We have got a decent squad now," Adams said. "Before there used to be 12 or 13 I could rely on. Now there are 18 and I am not afraid to make changes.

"I know that sometimes disturbs the pattern, but players will have to accept that.

"Everybody will get their chance, but I am saying to them don't be disappointed if you miss out for any particular game, because there are always reasons behind it. I am trying to educate the players to that."