Leon Knight celebrated his 21st birthday with a dream finish to get Albion back on the winning track against rock bottom Chesterfield.

The Seagulls' mini marvel curled in his sixth goal of the season on 33 minutes after a mistake by defender Kevin Dawson.

It was enough to give Steve Coppell's side a welcome first victory for four games.

Teenage keeper Ross Flitney, on loan from Fulham, marked the first senior appearance of his career with Albion's second clean sheet in the League.

Flitney, 19, had to be drafted in when Ben Roberts, doubtful before the match with a back injury, pulled out during the warm-up.

Nathan Jones, back from a three-match ban at the expense of Dan Harding, tried to test Carl Muggleton early on with an up and under.

The Chesterfield keeper failed to gather the ball but was impeded by Darius Henderson and awarded a free kick.

Any nerves felt by Flitney were dispelled by a fine stop in the fifth minute when Butters brought down Mark Hudson in a central position 20 yards out.

Steve Payne's powerful low drive from the ensuing free kick forced the young custodian to save at the second attempt.

Chesterfield were not performing like a team at the foot of the table. They had the edge in the opening quarter of an hour with Dutchman Gus Uhlenbeek particularly prominent.

Guy Brandon collected the first caution of the contest for the visitors for a dive just outside the Albion area.

The Seagulls had to wait until the 19th minute for their first attempt at goal, Simon Rodger firing over from long range after Jones' cross from a penetrating pass by Charlie Oatway was partially cleared.

Rodger, not noted for his goalscoring, had another effort a few minutes later.

The former Crystal Palace stalwart drove straight at Muggleton after Henderson led a swift counter attack from a Chesterfield corner.

Henderson also shot straight at Muggleton from 20 yards following tenacious work by Oatway as Albion gradually warmed to their task.

Flitney twice came sharply off his line to smother at the feet of the formidable Folan.

Chesterfield collected their second caution approaching the half hour mark when Hudson was punished for a tackle on Knight.

The crowd were just beginning to get restless when Knight lifted their spirits by breaking the deadlock twelve minutes from the interval.

Oatway tried to release the Seagulls' leading marksman with a crossfield pass.

Dawson appeared to have the situation under control facing his own goal but fell over as he tried to control the ball on his chest.

Knight, still with plenty to do, curled a delightful right-footer beyond Muggleton into the far corner.

It was typical Knight. He had hardly been involved in proceedings until that point but, as opponents have found to their cost this season, he can make a deadly impact at any moment.

Flitney nearly threw away Albion's hard-earned advantage when he inexplicably dropped a harmless cross by Uhlenbeek.

The ball was rolling gently towards the empty net when Oatway hacked it clear.

Albion were a little fortunate to be ahead at half time on the balance of play. Chesterfield had been made to pay dearly for Dawson's mistake.

The Seagulls controlled possession more at the start of the second half as they looked to double their lead to further deflate the Spireites.

Dawson's miserable night continued with a caution for a foul on Rodger. Referee Andy Penn allowed play to continue before giving the hapless Chesterfield centre half a yellow card.

Knight threatened again on 55 minutes, spinning away from his marker to latch on to Jones' long ball through the middle.

Muggleton raced outside his area but Knight beat him to it only to stab narrowly wide of the gaping goal.

Jones almost provided Albion with the cushion they were seeking midway through the second half, spinning on a pass from Henderson to shoot just wide of the far post with Muggleton beaten.

The hard-working Henderson came close for Albion shortly afterwards with a low drive just wide after getting the better of Steve Blatherwick.

Hudson came close to a surprise equaliser for Chesterfield, firing just wide when Flitney punched clear Allott's corner.

Albion introduced McPhee for Henderson and Pethick for Hart. McPhee almost wrapped things up late on with a shot on the turn which Muggleton fumbled for a corner.

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Flitney (gk) 7; Mayo (lb) 7; Cullip (cd) 7; Knight (f) 8; Rodger (cm) 7; Hart (rm) 7; Oatway (cm) 7; Henderson (f) 7; Butters (cd) 7; Jones (lm) 8; Hinshelwood (rb) 8. Subs: Pethick for Hart (withdrawn 84), Carpenter, McPhee for Henderson (withdrawn 78), Harding, Keeley.
  • Scorers: Knight (33).
  • Bookings: None.
  • CHESTERFIELD: (3-5-2): Muggleton; Uhlenbeek, O'Hare, Dawson, Blatherwick, Payne, Allott, Hudson, Brandon, Folan, Evatt. Subs: Howson, Davies for Dawson (withdrawn 72), Richmond, Rushbury, A. Smith for Folan (withdrawn 89).
  • Bookings: Brandon (14) unsporting behaviour, Hudson (29) foul, Dawson (52) foul.
  • Half-Time: Albion 1 Chesterfield 0.
  • Attendance: 6,054.
  • Fan's View: Stan Oxley (Worthing).

It was a mediocre display but enough to beat a poor Chesterfield side who will be well below us in the final shake-up.

A great birthday goal by Leon Knight set up by the referee who played a great advantage allowing us to break.

Bad refs get enough stick but I'd like this one every week.

The back four played very well and my man-of-the-match was Adam Hinshelwood who was outstanding.

We are crying out for a creative midfielder to give Knight and Henderson better service.

A worry was that the game wasn't sold out and the club need to let the public know this, so that more fans can obtain tickets on the day.