Albion have put their automatic promotion bid back on course with a vital victory.

Bobby Zamora was the hero yet again with the Seagulls' 75th-minute winner, although the recalled Darren Freeman played a huge part.

Freeman, making his first start since August 28, delivered a superb cross from the right flank for Zamora to head his 19th of the season.

Albion's fourth win out of six in the League lifts them back above Cardiff into second following the Welshmen's 0-0 home draw against Rochdale last night.

It was a result Micky Adams' battlers just about deserved in a hard fought affair against a robust Torquay team fighting desperately against relegation.

The home side had six players booked, while Zamora and Torquay old boy Charlie Oatway also had their names taken by busy referee Mark Warren.

Albion's plans were disrupted shortly before the kick-off when Richard Carpenter had to drop out with an ankle injury.

Steve Melton took his place in midfield and he made an encouraging full League debut.

A crowd of 2,909 at Plainmoor saw Zamora have a fine match. He led the line impressively before limping off in the dying moments.

Mark Cartwright celebrated his comeback in goal with a clean sheet as the changes made by Adams paid off.

Cartwright made a couple of important saves, but he could do nothing when Tony Bedeau's cross hit the bar early in the second half.

There was a further boost for the Seagulls when Lee Steele made his return from a knee injury as a second-half replacement for Nathan Jones.

Albion's first triumph at Torquay since 1965 sets them up perfectly for matches against promotion rivals Rochdale and Cardiff in the next seven days.