Huddersfield 1, Albion 2: Micky Adams may have gone, but Albion remain serious contenders for consecutive promotions.

They confirmed their credentials with their first victory for four games against the team tipped by Adams to win the title before a ball had been kicked.

There is evidently a determination amongst the players not to let an encouraging start under their former manager go to waste.

Gary Hart, who celebrated his return to the starting line-up with his first goal since March 31, said: "I expected this to be our hardest game so far. We proved we can do it away from home against one of the best teams in the League.

"He (Adams) always had faith in us. He told us enough times that we are a good enough bunch of players to challenge.

"I am not surprised how well we have done so far, although I am surprised how quickly we have adapted to the Second Division. When you look around it's a small squad, but it's all quality."

Saturday's success stretched an amazing sequence for caretaker Bob Booker. Albion have been beaten seven times in the League since Adams made him his No. 2 a year ago and they have bounced straight back with a win on each occasion.

It also maintained the undefeated record of stop-gap guru Martin Hinshelwood, who is helping Booker.

The director of youth's previous two stints in a caretaker capacity spanned one match, a draw at Hartlepool before Liam Brady took charge and a victory at Plymouth pre-Adams.

Hinshelwood should last at least one match longer this time. An appointment is not anticipated ahead of tomorrow night's LDV Vans Trophy trip to Swansea.

Dick Knight has effectively ruled out a promotion to the top job from within and results are unlikely to change that.

The chairman is bound to be wary after the Jeff Wood experience. Brian Horton's assistant was given the job after an encouraging run in temporary control, but Albion's fortunes dipped spectacularly once his role became permanent.

The big consolation for Booker, Hinshelwood and the rest of the coaching staff is Knight's assurance that their jobs are safe.

Booker demonstrated that he has the guts to make difficult decisions with his team selection, although he indicated the dye had been cast before Adams was on his way to Filbert Street.

Skipper Paul Rogers was relegated to the bench in circumstances in which it would have been understandable to rely heavily on experience.This made room for Lee Steele to partner Bobby Zamora up front from the kick-off in an orthodox 4-4-2 formation, with Hart recalled on the right and Paul Brooker switched to the left at the expense of Nathan Jones.

It was, in fact, the side which started the second half of the previous home defeat by Brentford, when the introductions of Steele and Hart at half time had an uplifting effect.

Steele, having scored three times as a substitute, was distraught not to add to his tally. He had chances to put Albion two up in the opening 15 minutes, later miskicked in front of goal and on another day could easily have helped himself to a hat-trick.

Nevertheless, Bobby Zamora benefitted from his busy and distracting presence to provide a deserved and spectacular lead ten minutes from the break.

Zamora spun away from his marker to race onto Paul Watson's pass down the right wing. He cut in towards the penalty area and then checked away from goal past Kevin Gray's challenge onto his favoured left foot to find the roof of the net with a fierce angled drive. His 46th goal in an Albion shirt has arguably only been bettered by that memorable volley he struck against Halifax at Withdean.

It was also his fourth goal in as many away games, further dispelling the idea that Zamora is merely a Withdean wonder.

The one which proved to be the winner, from Hart, followed early second-half pressure from Huddersfield and a flurry of Watson corners which the home defence failed to deal with.

Danny Cullip had headers blocked by keeper Martyn Margetson from two of them, but the third was not cleared properly and Hart rifled a right-foot drive into the far corner from 20 yards.

Albion were in the comfort zone at that point, but Kenny Irons ensured a tense finale by halving the arrears with 16 minutes left. The former Tranmere midfielder curled in a free-kick from 25 yards, with the otherwise commanding Michel Kuipers still trying to organise the wall and diving too late to keep it out.

Booker could not have asked for more from the players. "It was a good start," he under-stated. "The players have worked hard in difficult circumstances and they deserved it. The chairman came in afterwards and said well done. The staff and the players have got together after what happened."

The team spirit on which the Seagulls have thrived is not about to evaporate on this evidence just because Adams has left. The chance is there for Albion's next boss, whether it be Peter Taylor or some of the more plausible alternatives mentioned such as former Crystal Palace manager Alan Smith or Brian Clough's son Nigel.

It is not often that a new manager has the luxury of taking over a team separated from the top of the table only by two places and goal difference.