Albion youth team goalkeeper Will Packham is king of the cleansheets.

The 18-year-old keeper has not conceded a goal in the last six matches, a record for the youth team, and intends to make it eight by the end of the season.

Packham, who has shot up three inches in height to 6ft.3in this season, is walking tall with the Seagulls poised to win the Football League Youth Alliance (Premier Division South).

Packham said: "I'm delighted to keep so many clean sheets, although it really has been a team effort and the guys in front of me have been superb. I understand it's a record and I'm pleased about that but I want to make it eight, then I will be very happy.

But the first-year professional recognises he has to develop his level of intensity to ensure he gets a new deal with Albion this summer. Youth team manager Dean Wilkins says he could do worse than follow the example of John Burridge, his former team-mate at QPR.

Wilkins said: "I remember Budgie used to drag us all back after training to give him extra goalkeeping sessions. He was so dedicated, you could see it in his eyes."

Packham said: "I've heard about about John Burridge and his mad streak. That is something I'm working on. You have to have an intensity. I'm an easy-going bloke, but I appreciate you have to be fired up the whole time.

Albion's Mean Machine drew 0-0 with closest rivals West Bromwich Albion on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run, which now stands at five victories and one draw.

Albion had three spells in the South East Counties League up to last year and it is understood they have never had such a watertight defence at senior level. Seagulls have now won five matches in the play-offs and drawn one with a goal difference of 11.

The last goal they conceded was a penalty in the 6-1 defeat of Colchester in their final game in the South East Conference before qualifying for the play-offs.

Albion can extend their impressive unbeaten home run to 15 wins in 16 games against Cardiff (April 15) and Walsall (April 22) in their final two matches of the season.

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