ALBION ace Gary Hart has apologised for rediscovering his goal touch too late.

His third in as many matches against Shrewsbury on Tuesday clinched an opening victory for new boss Micky Adams.

The young hotshot's 12th of the season also hoisted him to the top of the Seagulls' scoring charts.

But Hart failed to hit the target for ten matches under former manager Jeff Wood.

Adams blamed the players after Tuesday's win for getting Wood the sack and Hart admitted: "I am sorry my goals didn't come earlier. It was important to score on Tuesday, but a couple of weeks ago it was even more important."

Hart, 22, suddenly finds himself playing under a third different manager since joining the club for a bargain £1,000 from non-League Stansted last summer.

"You could say it has been eventful," he added. "I wasn't expecting this. I thought Brian Horton would have stayed.

"But the new gaffer has come in now with a positive attitude. Hopefully we can help him out by doing well.

"When a new manager comes in you have to impress straight from the start and I think the 11 out there on Tuesday did that.

"Now we need to carry that on, get some more points and get Brighton up the League. Finishing on a high note will be a stepping stone for next season."

ALBION Reserves won 4-0 at home to Barnet in the Combination last night with Lawrence Davies hitting a hat-trick. Richard Barker also struck in front of the watching Micky Adams.

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