Little more than a year ago, Chris Iwelumo's name was mud to Albion fans.

He converted a crucial second-half penalty winner for Stoke at Coventry, at exactly the same time as Bobby Zamora was equalising against Sheffield Wednesday at Withdean.

It edged the Seagulls closer to relegation in their ultimately vain fight for First Division survival with Iwelumo's former employers.

Now Iwelumo is doing his bit to help Albion back into Division One via the play-offs, just as he did at Stoke two seasons ago.

He has only been here for seven weeks, but the powerful target man is already proving popular with team-mates and supporters alike.

The mood is much more harmonious than it was back then in the Stoke camp, when there was reportedly a divide between the Scandinavian contingent and home-grown players.

"The boys are absolutely tremendous here," Iwelumo declared. "It's hard to come here and not get involved. They don't give you a chance to have a minute to yourself. They are always in your face!

"I feel like one of them. Even in the first couple of weeks you get that feeling that you have been here for a long time."

Iwelumo is continuing a rich tradition of Scottish strikers to have played for Albion. There have been more than 60 of them.

The 24-year-old from Coatbridge in Lanarkshire said: "Obviously Scotland is known to be wet and cold.

"I don't know if that has got anything to do with us all coming to Brighton, to experience the weather.

"I'm lucky that I have come down here and things have gone so well. Brighton is a tremendous place and I wouldn't have a problem moving down. Me and the wife have seen all the sites.

"I've not looked at property yet. I need to know exactly what is happening first, although you look through magazines and there are some great properties."

Iwelumo is not tempting fate by house hunting, because there is still a slight element of uncertainty about his Albion future.

Manager Mark McGhee revealed to The Argus recently that he is yet to be completely convinced about the former St Mirren front man's credentials for the First Division if the Seagulls are promoted.

"I read the paper and the gaffer saying he wants to see a little bit more. I understand that," said Iwelumo.

"It is probably fair to say Brighton want to know where they are and what division they are going to be in before they sort anyone's contract out. I will keep going. I'm a Brighton player and I am paid to do what I'm doing now. We'll see what happens at the end of the season.

"I am a free agent in the summer, so hopefully Brighton will offer something before the end of the season."

Iwelumo scored with a spectacular shot from long range on his Albion debut at Chesterfield, then struck again in his first two home appearances against Colchester and Hartlepool.

The goals have dried up since, none in the last five games, although it was his header from Adam Virgo's long throw which Notts County youngster Kelvin Wilson turned into his own net at Withdean last Saturday.

"I've always had the kind of stats of scoring one in two," Iwelumo said. "It was a dream start really, scoring three goals in four games.

"It was a pity I had one disallowed against Rushden, but I am a striker so I am here to score goals and make goals. Hopefully I will carry on doing that."

Iwelumo has cost Albion the first of three possible small installments after helping them into the play-offs with that 1-0 victory over Notts County.

The Seagulls will not mind paying the second sum, as they will owe Stoke more money if they are promoted. The third and final payment is due if Iwelumo signs a longer contract. A big finish from the big man could just make McGhee's mind up.