John Piercy is refusing to let another spell on the sidelines dampen his spirits following the first League goal of his career.

The former Spurs midfielder's early strike launched Albion to a 2-0 win against Wrexham at Withdean on Saturday and third place in the table.

Piercy, suspended for Sunday's LDV Vans Trophy tie at leaders QPR, was forced off in the first half with a hamstring injury he felt in training last Thursday.

He said: "I have spoken to the medical team and all I have done is torn a couple of fibres which is the best case scenario.

"If you pull your hamstring it's six weeks, but I think maybe a week to ten days and I'll be fine.

"I cannot play next week anyway, so it's a matter of working hard in the gym, getting it right and then seeing if I'm back in the manager's plans.

"It is frustrating, but it's not worth me sulking about it. I got injured, but I also scored and the team won. It's more important that we are back on track.

"I feel the manager has got some faith in me and isn't afraid to play me, where as past managers didn't play me so much."

Consecutive wins for Albion were completed by Richard Carpenter's second-half chip, his first League goal of the season.

Manager Mark McGhee said: "Of all the players since I have been here I think he has done as well as anyone and deserved the goal.

"I said to the players before the game that to get promoted we are going to need probably in excess of 80 goals and Leon Knight is not going to get them on his own, so other people have to chip in."

Carpenter, celebrating his 150th League appearance for the Seagulls, said: "It has been a long time since I last scored in the League.

"It was a nice goal and a change for me. They normally go in at a fast pace.

"I saw the goalkeeper off the line, I tried something different and it worked.

"I was mobbed by the boys. I just wonder sometimes if they believe in my ability!"

Carpenter's central midfield partner Mark Yeates is on international duty on Wednesday.

The loan signing from Spurs is in the Republic of Ireland under-19s' squad for a friendly in France.