Skipper Paul Rogers was rested for the second Saturday running for promoted Albion's clash against relegation candidates Carlisle at Brunton Park.

Boss Micky Adams returned to the starting line-up which clinched a place in the Second Division next season with a 2-0 win at Plymouth seven days ago.

Steve Melton took over from the 36-year-old Rogers in midfield following Monday's Withdean promotion party against Darlington.

Lee Steele and the fit-again Matthew Wicks were on the bench at the expense of Adam Virgo and Scott Ramsay.

Steele marked his full debut with a goal in Albion's 4-1 home win against Carlisle in November.

The Cumbrians were rock bottom then and Monday's eventful 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe, when they had three players sent off, has plunged them back into trouble.

Manager Ian Atkins, relegated with Chester last season, made two changes. On-loan Albion defender Darren Carr was inelligible as a condition of his move so Mark Winstanley took his place at the heart of a back five, while the experienced Mick Galloway came in for Gordon Connelly in the middle of the park.

Albion went into the contest knowing seven points from their remaining five games would clinch their first title since 1965 after Chesterfield decided yesterday not to appeal against their nine-point punishment for financial irregularities.

Before kick-off a minute's silence was observed in memory of Mike North, the referee who collapsed and died while taking charge of Southend's home match against Mansfield on Monday.

Albion had a scare in the opening minute when Dobie showed neat skill to flip the ball over Mayo's head before finding Cullen.

The Carlisle forward, on loan from Peterborough, beat Kuipers but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Dobie was at the heart of the action again in the eighth minute after 16-goal Stevens caught the Albion defence flat-footed with an overhead kick into the box.

Dobie got to it first ahead of Cullip but could only side-foot straight at Kuipers.

The early double scare forced Adams to tinker with his tactics giving Brooker a roving role in behind Zamora and Hart, who was operating as an orthodox striker.

The system has worked well before this season and the Seagulls started to press forward with more conviction.

Zamora, fresh from the Nationwide Player of the Month Award for March and goals in his last six games, headed narrowly over from a Watson cross as Albion began to gain the upper hand.

Midway through the half keeper Glennon, on loan from Bolton, plucked Brooker's diagonal cross off the head of Zamora at the far post.

In their new fluid formation, Brooker was popping up all over the place to combine well with Oatway then carved an opening for leading scorer Zamora, but on this occasion the goal king could only direct his header straight at the Carlisle keeper.

It was almost too easy at times for Albion, the one disappointing aspect being their failure to truly test Glennon.

Brooker and Carpenter tried to change all that with two long range efforts but again neither troubled the keeper.

And the half ended with Carlisle coming closest, Cullen curling his 25-yard free kick narrowly wide.

Carlisle made a change at the break, introducing Halliday for the injured Galloway.

The pattern was unchanged at the start of the second half, with Albion continuing to call the shots.

Carlisle were operating at this stage with Stevens by himself up front, suggesting they would settle for a point Brooker turned and crossed onto the top of the Carlisle net as Albion probed for a breakthrough.

Cullen was lectured by referee Leake after bundling over Hart.

Watson's ensuing free kick was cleared as far as stand-in skipper Oatway, who crossed into the box.

The ball went through to Glennon, with Zamora protesting angrily to the linesman that he had been held back by Maddison.

Carlisle were forced into a second substitution on 58 minutes. Dobie pulled a hamstring and Heggs took his place.

Rogers then came on for Melton as Albion pressed for the winner and with 20 minutes remaining Steele was introduced for Brooker. But there was no way through Carlisle's resolute defence.

Carlisle:

Matt Glennon; Mark Birch, Tony Hopper, Stuart Whitehead, Scott Dobie, Ian Stevens, Mick Galloway, Mark Winstanley, Lee Maddison, David Morley, John Cullen. Subs: Heggs, Halliday, Connelly, McAughtrie,Hemmings.

Albion:

Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Andy Crosby, Gary Hart, Charlie Oatway, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Steve Melton, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Rogers, Steele, Jones, Wicks, M. Thomas.

Referee: Mr T. Leake (Darwen).