Albion boss Micky Adams has saluted Bobby Zamora for putting their promotion bid back on track.

Zamora headed his 19th goal of the season from a Darren Freeman cross in the 1-0 win at lowly Torquay.

It lifted the Seagulls back into second place, two points ahead of Saturday's Withdean visitors Cardiff and six points clear of tomorrow night's hosts Rochdale.

Adams said: "Bobby has done what he does best. He was terrific in his general play.

"A couple of times in the second half he was shrugged off the ball too easily, but he is still only 20 and learning the game. He got on the end of a great cross from Darren Freeman, who I thought was excellent. He was delighted with it and so are we. It has got us back on track again."

Zamora's 75th-minute clincher was only his second League goal away from Withdean. He said: "I've had a little bit of stick about the away goals, but I'm just happy to score.

"I've not been too happy with my performances in the last couple of weeks. We had to dig deep and it was a big win for us."

Adams had to change his team 20 minutes before kick-off. Richard Carpenter aggravated an ankle injury in the warm-up, so Steve Melton was drafted in for his full League debut.

"That was a shock, particularly as I only took 16 players," added Adams. "That meant we only had four substitutes, but I cannot praise Steve Melton enough.

"He is a model pro. He hadn't started a League game because the other three midfielders have played well enough to keep him out, but he was different class."