Micky Adams made a rare appearance during the warm-up for Tuesday's Withdean win against Blackpool.

The manager took shots at recalled goalkeeper Michel Kuipers. That is usually done by the goalkeeper's understudy, but Mark Cartwright watched from the stands after being dropped and transfer-listed.

Albion's third keeper, youngster Will Packham, is on loan to Langney Sports, so Adams abandoned his plan to have a spare keeper on the bench for the rest of the season.

A quartet of teams are beginning to pull clear at the top of the table.

The Seagulls are four points clear of fourth-placed Hartlepool and have two matches in hand over Chris Turner's in-form team. Leyton Orient and Rochdale, the sides immediately below them, have both been slipping recently.

Albion go to Leyton Orient, Hartlepool and Rochdale in the next six weeks, then of course there is the much-anticipated visit of leaders Chesterfield on March 24.

Meanwhile, Adams is going under the surgeon's knife.

The boss has an operation next month to repair cartilage damage to his left knee, a legacy of his playing days.

Albion chief executive Martin Perry is the guest for the next meeting of the Seagulls Over London supporters branch at the Albert Pub near Victoria Station next Thursday at 7.30 p.m.