Albion boss Peter Taylor praised his promotion battlers as they went down fighting in last night's crunch clash at Stoke.

A 3-1 defeat in an enthralling encounter at the Britannia Stadium means Stoke have closed to within two points of second-placed Albion, although the Seagulls still have a game in hand.

Taylor said: "It was a very good performance and a good advert for Second Division football. We passed the ball well and played some good stuff."

Taylor picked out Lee Steele, who celebrated his return to the starting line-up with a 54th minute equaliser, for special praise. But he blamed Michel Kuipers and Robbie Pethick for two of the Stoke goals.

Chris Iwelumo headed them into a 29th minute lead when he beat Kuipers to a cross.

A rash challenge by Pethick on Iwelumo just outside the area gave Stoke a free-kick which ultimately led to Arnar Gunnlaugsson restoring their advantage from the spot on 58 minutes.

"I thought Lee Steele was terrific," Taylor said. "I haven't got too many complaints about the team but certain individuals.

"The goalkeeper needs to learn when somebody is there to put pressure on the centre forward you don't come for the cross.

"Robbie Pethick has got to learn you have to stand up on the edge of the box when somebody is running square and not at goal."

Pethick was substituted shortly afterwards and he had a penalty saved by Neil Cutler seconds before Steele levelled.

Referee Bill Jordan ruled that Steele had been knocked over by Wayne Thomas while he awarded Stoke their penalty when Danny Cullip's outstretched arm felled Bjarni Gudjonsson.

Taylor said "I thought both penalties could or could not have been given. They were very close calls, so I suppose one each was fair."

The Albion chief was involved in a finger wagging exchange with a linesman at the final whistle over an incident which ended with Clive Clarke's late clincher for Stoke.

"I spoke to the assistant referee because the third goal disappointed me," Taylor revealed.

"He was not as close as the referee but gave a handball decision against Lee Steele when it was not."

The Seagulls will welcome back hotshot Bobby Zamora from a three match ban for Tuesday's home game against Wycombe Wanderers.