Albion cruised to their ninth win out of 11 against crisis club Carlisle.

A powerful second half performance maintained the Seagulls' promotion charge following a poor opening 45 minutes.

Three goals in the space of 16 minutes after the break by Bobby Zamora, Paul Watson (penalty) and Lee Steele crushed Carlisle.

An own goal by Kerry Mayo just before the break, which cancelled out a Watson effort, had briefly given the visitors hope of grabbing only their second point in 12 games.

There were few fireworks in the first half for a record Withdean crowd of 6,746.

Watson put Albion ahead in the 21st minute from a cross which Zamora dummied.

Carlisle's equaliser on 42 minutes was also bizarre, Mayo slicing Mick Galloway's corner into his own net.

Albion exploded into life after the break.

Zamora restored their lead on 49 minutes nodding in his tenth Withdean goal of the season after Danny Cullip's header from a Watson free-kick had been blocked by keeper Peter Keen.

Watson slotted his second and the Seagulls' third from the spot on 61 minutes following an infringement from his corner by Richard Prokas.

Steele celebrated his full debut by slotting his second goal in as many matches four minutes later.

Albion did not play as well as they have of late, particularly in the first half, but that wont bother boss Micky Adams.

They were comfortable winners in the end and Adams must now decide whether to recall the banned Charlie Oatway for next Saturday's visit to Macclesfield.

Albion: Michel Kuipers, Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Paul Rogers, Gary Hart, Richard Carpenter, Lee Steele, Nathan Jones, Matthew Wicks, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Crosby, Brooker, Thomas, Ramsay, Melton.

Carlisle United: Peter Keen, Mark Birch, Lee Maddison, Stuart Whitehead, John Inglis, Mick Galloway, Scott Dobie, Gordon Connelly, Ian Stevens, Mark Thurstan, Richard Prokas. Subs: Darby, Halliday, McAughtrie, Lee, Thwaites.

Referee: Mr D. Crick (Worcester Park, Surrey).