Mark Ormerod cleaned up on his Albion comeback last night to put a hole in Peterborough's automatic promotion hopes.

The goalkeeper celebrated a surprise return with a shut-out in a 0-0 draw at Withdean. Ormerod was called up for his first appearance this year, because of a knee injury to Mark Walton.

He made an important save from John Cullen's header early on and kept out Richard Scott's free-kick at the start of the second half.

"I found out yesterday that I was playing when Mark went down in training," Ormerod revealed.

"The defence played well and they didn't have many chances, but it was nice not to let anything in, especially coming into a side on an unbeaten run.

"The gaffer said 'well done' afterwards, because it was a good result against a good side. Now I hope to keep my place for our last two games."

Assistant manager Alan Cork said: "If we had started the season the way we are finishing it we would be in the top three.

"That is 12 games unbeaten, which gives heart to the club. It is disappointing that the run has come so late, because we all expected to do better, but hopefully we are on the up."

Peterborough had Cullen sent off midway through the second half for foul and abusive language. Boss Barry Fry stormed: "We went down to ten men, but we were playing against 12 the whole game."

Albion have a crisis among their strikers ahead of Saturday's trip to Shrewsbury. Top scorer Darren Freeman missed last night's match with an ear infection.

His replacement, Scott Ramsay, and Gary Hart, both went off injured.

The reserves visit Fulham in the Combination today (2pm).

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