It was a case of six of the best as Albion lined up against arch rivals Leyton Orient at a packed Withdean.

Boss Micky Adams named the same side for the sixth match running as the Seagulls defended a six-match unbeaten run.

There were no changes on the bench either, Adams sticking with the squad which has served him so well in recent weeks. Jason Brissett, Orient's summer signing from Walsall, came in for only his second League start for the East Londoners.

Albion were hoping to repeat their 2-1 win at Brisbane Road at the start of last season. That was their only victory over the O's in 11 League and Cup clashes squeezed into the past four years.

Orient triumphed 1-0 at Withdean in January, when Croatian midfielder Ahmet Brkovic grabbed the only goal.

Top ref Paul Durkin was in charge of the Third Division's match-of-the-day on a Withdean pitch saturated by rain.

The Albion players splashed their way through surface water during the warm-up.

Conditions were tricky, with the ball holding up in some heavy patches.

Orient were the first to threaten, Joseph's free-kick from just inside the Albion half causing initial uncertainty in the penalty area.

Watson tidied up by cushioning a header back to goalkeeper Cartwright.

Another free-kick by Joseph from a similar position moments later was headed clear by Wicks, making the last appearance of his month on-loan from Peterborough.

Hart, who had an unhappy trial with Orient before Albion gave him his chance, stumbled as he tried to make ground down the right.

Watson blocked a shot by Brissett, then Brkovic drove wide with his left foot from 20 yards.

The Albion players were still protesting at that moment that Smith should have been penalised for a challenge on Zamora in the centre circle, but referee Durkin was having none of it.

It was a strangely subdued start, with both teams feeling each other out.

Albion won their first corner in the 12th minute. Oatway took it, but Hart could not force his way past Joseph beyond the far post.

Cartwright, fresh from a hat-trick of clean sheets, launched a couple of kicks which sailed straight through to his opposite number Bayes.

Rogers, who scored against the O's last season, had a shot from Zamora's lay-off accidentally diverted well wide of the target by team mate Jones as Albion tried to establish some momentum.

The opening 20 minutes had been uneventful in the extreme, although one or two interesting tussles were developing.

Cullip was shadowing Griffiths, a regular thorn in the Seagulls' side in recent sea sons. Hart was also having a battle with the highly-rated Lockwood. They tangled off the ball on one occasion after Lockwood had been penalised for fouling Hart, but it was not necessary for Durkin to intervene.

Brissett lasted just 25 minutes, an injury forcing off the recalled close season capture. Teenager Martin took his place on the left.

Watson was told to calm down by referee Durkin after sliding in slightly late on Martin within moments of the substitute's introduction.

Orient skipper Smith miskicked in attempting to clear a ball from Wicks through the middle, but it ran harmlessly through to Bayes.

Mayo's long throw on the half-hour was back-headed by Cullip narrowly out of reach of both Rogers and Zamora, lurking towards the far side of the box.

There was none of the fluency displayed by Albion in recent weeks, but a boggy pitch was not exactly conducive to flowing football and Orient were predictably making life difficult.

Harris covered well to deny the pursuing Rogers after Zamora had flicked on Cullip's pass.

Brkovic attempted to repeat his matchwinner in the corresponding fixture last season with a chip which floated well wide of the target.

It was intelligent thinking by the Croatian, because Cartwright was well off his line.

McGhee collected the first caution of the contest in the 36th minute for a reckless tackle on Oatway just inside Albion territory.

Griffiths headed wide a good chance for the visitors shortly after, although it would have not have counted as the linesman had his flag up for offside.

Lockwood allowed Albion to launch an attack by giving away possession cheaply. Carpenter, 28 today, passed inside to Jones who fired straight at Bayes from 20 yards.

It was the first effort on goal by either team 38 minutes into what had been a desperately disappointing half, even allowing for the difficult conditions.

That all changed three minutes from the break as Albion grabbed the lead. Rogers was the scorer with a firm header from Watson's inswinging cross to the near post. The quality of the delivery from Watson was instrumental in Rogers' second goal in four games.

Orient came perilously close to levelling two minutes later. Griffiths, found in space inside the area by Martin, rifled an angled right foot volley against the post with Cartwright beaten.

Orient threatened an equaliser a minute into the restart. Garcia evaded Mayo's tackle inside the area but delayed too long before trying to set up Griffiths.

Cullip, as commanding as ever, came to the rescue for the Seagulls with a tidy piece of defending.

Zamora caused some concern when he seemed to bang his head on the ground. Albion's top scorer required lengthy treatment from physio Malcolm Stuart before he was able to continue.

A long range attempt by Walschaerts to get Orient back on terms flashed well wide of the Albion net on 51 minutes.

Hart almost doubled Albion's advantage a minute later. He met Zamora's cross from the left with a firm header which forced Bayes into a fine reflex save.

Hart was an unlikely supplier from deep when Albion next threatened. His long ball caused problems for McGhee as Jones and Zamora chased and Orient were thankful for a retrieving intervention by Joseph.

This led to a hat-trick of inswinging corners by set piece specialist Watson which put the visiting defence under sustained pressure. Albion were very much in charge now as they looked for a second goal to give themselves breathing space.

Watson almost provided it with a free-kick from wide on the right which Bayes at first spilled before grabbing the ball almost off Zamora's head at the second attempt.

Albion's growing superiority was rewarded on 64 minutes by a well-taken first goal of the season for Mayo. Zamora knocked the ball back for the defender to side-foot home from a central position 16 yards out.

ALBION: Mark Cartwright Paul Watson Kerry Mayo Danny Cullip Paul Rogers Gary Hart Charlie Oatway Richard Carpenter Nathan Jones Matthew Wicks Bobby Zamora.

Subs: Crosby, Brooker, Steele, Thomas, Melton.

LEYTON ORIENT: Ashley Bayes Matt Joseph Matthew Lockwood Dean Smith David McGhee Andy Harris Carl Griffiths Ahmet Brkovic Richard Garcia Wim Walshcaerts Jason Brissett.

Subs: Downer, Ibehere, Barrett, Martin, Watts.

REFEREE: Mr P. Durkin (Dorset)