Albion have been tipped as potential champions by former player Jason Peake after another convincing performance.

Goals in each half by Richard Carpenter and Bobby Zamora saw off Peake's current club Plymouth at Withdean last night.

The Seagulls' seventh victory out of nine lifted them back into second place, above another of Peake's ex-employers Rochdale who were held 2-2 at home by Macclesfield.

Micky Adams' men remain seven points adrift of Chesterfield, 2-0 winners at Kidderminster.

But midfielder Peake, out of favour at Plymouth and watching from the sidelines, believes Albion can catch them.

"Brighton were very good, the best team we have played so far by a mile and better than Chesterfield," Peake declared.

"I am looking forward to seeing what my old mates at Rochdale are like. I've heard they are a good side, but Brighton knock it about well and they have got a good mixture.

"They hit it long when they have to but can also pass it. I think they will definitely finish in the top three and may be champions."

Carpenter followed up his first goal for Albion against Hartlepool at Withdean last week with a sweet right-foot strike.

Zamora made certain of the points with his ninth of the season late on, after Plymouth had captain Sean McCarthy sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Albion assistant Bob Booker said: "It wasn't one of our better performances. Opponents are coming here now to shut up shop, leaving one man up and making it difficult for us.

"The first 20 minutes was very frustrating, but then we started to play late in the first half. Once we were 1-0 up the players relaxed a little bit more and we got our passing game going.

"Chippy (Carpenter) is chipping in and it would be nice to see Bobby score away from home. He is working hard and from what I have seen he is going to be a top class player."

The reserves visit Southend today for a friendly (2pm). Meanwhile the youth team face Wycombe Wanderers in the first round of the FA Youth Cup at Bognor tonight (7.30pm).