There's just no stopping Zamora the scorer.

Bobby Zamora bagged his 20th goal of the season against promotion rivals Cardiff.

The young hotshot's early strike clinched a precious win for the Seagulls at wet and windy Withdean.

A record crowd of 6,922 saw Zamora race clear from Matthew Brazier's misplaced pass in the 15th minute before slotting passed former Albion No. 1 Mark Walton.

His cool finish showed Cardiff exactly what they are missing after they had a £1.2 million bid for the former Bristol Rovers forward turned down before Christmas.

Zamora left the field to a hero's reception 20 minutes from the end with a leg injury which threatens plans for him to team up tomorrow with Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup Squad for a training camp in England.

Micky Adams' battlers survived a late onslaught by Cardiff once Zamora had departed.

The visitors finished with ten men, substitute Gavin Gordon receiving his marching orders on 85 minutes for flattening impressive keeper Mark Cartwright.

Cardiff boss Alan Cork remonstrated angrily with referee Paul Armstrong at the finish following only his second League defeat since leaving Albion and taking charge of the Welshmen.

Albion's fifth win out of seven in the Third Division keeps them in second place and increases their lead over third-placed Cardiff to five points.

The Seagulls are 13 points behind Chesterfield with four games in hand after the runaway leaders' 2-0 home win against Cheltenham.

Danny Cullip and Nathan Jones will both be free from suspension for Albion's trip to Cheltenham next Saturday.