Micky Adams resisted the temptation to meddle with his team for Albion's first clash against Queens Park Rangers for 28 years.

The boss had hinted at a couple of changes for today's long sold-out showdown at Withdean.

Instead he stood by the starting line-up which suffered a first defeat of the season at Northampton eight days ago.

The only change was on the bench, where Kerry Mayo was preferred to Robbie Pethick.

There was no place in the squad either for Matt Wicks, 21 today.

Albion, kicking with a brisk wind at their backs in the first half, had an early opportunity to put Rangers under pressure.

Watson's free-kick from midway inside the Rangers half on the left flank was headed behind rather unnecessarily by Ben Askar under no pressure.

The woodwork came to the Seagulls' rescue in the fourth minute as Rangers scythed through their defence.

Griffiths' pass released Bignot inside the box. His low drive beat Kuipers but struck the big Dutchman's right-hand post.

Albion responded to their early scare with an encouraging passage of play.

The shaven heads of Oatway and Cullip were particularly prominent in the middle of midfield and at the heart of the defence respectively.

Not much had been seen of Rangers as an attacking force following initial promise, though they enjoyed a bit more possession as half time approached.

Bignot collected the first caution of the contest in first-half stoppage time for raising his foot too high in a midfield challenge with Carpenter.

Rangers made a substitution at half time, introducing Doudou on the right side of midfield at the expense of McEwen.

Albion made their first change after 61 minutes, Mayo coming on for skipper Rogers.

Ben Askar collected a second yellow card for Rangers on 63 minutes for interrupting Steele's progress down the left wing.

The goal the Seagulls sought finally arrived on 66 minutes, from who else but Zamora.

Steele was the instigator with a clever pass which gave Brooker space inside the area.

His cross to the far post was headed home by the unmarked Zamora, his fifth Withdean goal of the season.

Albion made a second substitution on 68 minutes, Hart replacing Brooker on the right flank.

Rangers made a double substitution, bringing on Thomson and Rose for Taylor and Connolly.

Albion lost their lead in controversial circumstances with 11 minutes left.

Oatway was lying injured ten yards inside his own half following a challenge by Rose when referee Jordan allowed play to continue.

With the Seagulls temporarily reduced to ten men, Forbes crossed low from the right for Thomson to tap in from point blank range.

Albion made their last change with seven minutes remaining, Lehmann coming on upfront for Steele.

Watson snatched a dramatic victory for Albion in the 90th minute with a sweet free-kick with his left foot from inside the 'D', which found the bottom corner of the net beyond Day's despairing dive.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Danny Cullip, Simon Morgan, Paul Rogers, Charlie Oatway, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Lee Steele, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Mayo, Crosby, Pitcher, Hart, Lehmann.

Queens Park Rangers: Chris Day; Mark Perry, Paul Bruce, Steve Palmer, Karl Connolly, Marcus Bignot, Leroy Griffiths, Terell Forbes, Robert Taylor, Dave McEwen, Aziz Ben Askar. Subs: Wardley, Rose, Bull, Thomson, Doudou.

Referee: Mr W. Jordan (Tring).