Albion are closing in on their first title for 36 years, despite being held by lowly Carlisle.

Results elsewhere mean Micky Adams' men need just four more points to clinch the championship.

Alan Cork's Cardiff were held to a 3-3 draw at York, while Chesterfield suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Lincoln.

The Seagulls will now be crowned champions with a win and a draw in their next two games at Halifax on Tuesday and at home to Macclesfield next Saturday.

Albion dominated the first half before a crowd of 4,727 at Brunton Park, without turning their superiority into clearcut chances.

Bobby Zamora went close to adding to his 28-goal tally with a couple of headers and Paul Brooker shot straight at Matt Glennon when Richard Carpenter threaded him through.

It was a similar story in the second half, although Carlisle perked up a bit once Steve Halliday had replaced the injured Mick Galloway.

Chances were again few and far between and the Seagulls had little trouble keeping a record-breaking 22nd clean sheet until the closing stages.

Michel Kuipers made a fingertip save from Lee Maddison's low drive with eight minutes left.

Then from John Cullen's resulting corner Charlie Oatway cleared a David Morley header off the line to deny Carlisle their fifth successive 1-0 home win.

Second half substitute Lee Steele almost snatched maximum points for the Seagulls in a frantic finish with a left-foot shot which struck a post.