Paul Brooker kept Albion on course for promotion last night with a bolt from the blue with his wrong foot.

Brooker's spectacular 25-yard strike in the first half earned the Seagulls a 1-1 draw in the south coast derby at Bournemouth.

His second goal of the season came within a minute of Derek Holmes giving the relegation-haunted home side the lead.

Brooker said: "I have not scored many this season so it was nice to score, especially with my left foot.

"That has got to be up there as one of my best. I don't get many with my left foot. It is my weaker side."

Boss Peter Taylor roasted his players at half time for their slack display in the opening 45 minutes.

They perked up in the second half and Brooker hit the bar from long range again with his right foot late on, just seconds after substitute Lee Steele had spurned a good chance.

Brooker revealed: "He (Taylor) made his feelings known to us at half time. We were not at the races in the first half and could have been two or 3-1 down. In the second half we were a different team, but we just couldn't get the second goal."

Taylor said: "I was not a happy bunny at half time. The physio Malcolm Stuart thought I might have broken my foot kicking the table.

"I was pleased with the second half and the way we finished I felt we should have won it. Lee Steele is probably a touch disappointed that he did not hit the winner for us.

"It was a wonderful goal by Paul and he played exceptionally well as well. He got into some good areas."

Bristol City reduced Albion's advantage in the second automatic promotion spot to four points with a 1-0 home win over Peterborough.

Stoke, Albion's hosts on Friday, beat Bury 4-0 at the Britannia Stadium to move above Brentford into fourth.

Brentford lost 3-2 at play-off chasing Oldham, while Cardiff's visit to Huddersfield was postponed.

Leaders Reading won 2-0 at Wycombe Wanderers to go six points clear of Albion from a match more.

Simon Morgan, rested last night, will be back in the centre of defence at Stoke in place of Adam Virgo.

Daniel Webb is available again after a two-match ban but goal king Bobby Zamora is still suspended.

The reserves are in action at Cardiff today in the Avon Insurance Combination League (2pm).

For a full match report on the game visit thisisthealbion.co.uk