Albion's first away point for three matches was accompanied by an important fringe benefit.

In the context of a possible dress rehearsal for the play-offs, the Seagulls certainly did not fluff their lines.

They have emerged from a rather drab show at Ashton Gate free of any inferiority complex, which could have been the case if the script had gone against them.

The point, if you pardon the pun, was not lost on Danny Cullip, who played a starring role again.

"It's better than the last time we played them," Albion's inspirational leader remarked after hobbling from the dressing room to talk to the press.

He was, of course, referring to the 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Bristol City in Mark McGhee's first home match in charge back in November. No side before or since has done that to Albion at Withdean.

Should they face Danny Wilson's team again in the end-of-season lottery then it will now be on an equal footing.

McGhee said: "That's the thing we have done here. We have taught ourselves we can come here and stay unbeaten and I think we have also probably put a doubt in their minds about how difficult it would be for them if we come here again."

The Seagulls, defensively at least, have come a long way since that disconcerting Withdean debut for McGhee five months ago.

They may not be as pleasing on the eye as he would like at the moment but any successful manager will tell you sorting out the defence has to be the first objective.

A record of 21 goals conceded in 26 League matches from that winter mauling by Saturday's hosts compares favourably with the 22 leaked in the opening 18 fixtures and Ben Roberts has now kept a hat-trick of clean sheets.

Most of the shut-outs this season have been at Withdean, so only the third away from home was especially satisfying. Another came at Hartlepool at the end of September, a useful memory if they turn out to be Albion's play-off opponents.

McGhee said: "We were mostly on the defensive, but we expected that in the circumstances, against a club the size of Bristol City with the crowd behind them.

"I thought we were resolute and showed great character. It was a great exercise for young lads like Adam Virgo and Dan Harding.

"To come out of that sort of atmosphere with a result will hold us in good stead. I would have liked three points, because that would have ensured the play-offs, but that may have been a little bit unrealistic. I think a draw was about right."

The word resolute was made for Cullip. He showed why he has been picked by his fellow professionals in the PFA's Division Two team of the year with a typically dominant display.

McGhee said: "He marshalled them well. As much as Virgs is physical and a big, strong boy, he is young. Not only that, Danny took a knock and played on without much sign of it, so I was well pleased with him and Butts (Guy Butters) again."

Cullip hurt his right foot in a clash with a City player just before half time. "I just kicked the bottom of his studs, so we will just see how it settles down," he said.

"It was a good performance defensively from the whole team and 0-0 was a great result for us.

"We felt quite comfortable. They did not break through us and we defended the crosses very well."

Albion defended well from the front, as well as at the back. Leon Knight, also named in the PFA line-up, combined occasional glimpses of the quality that makes him stand out at this level with the kind of workrate McGhee is demanding of him.

Bristol, for all their possession and territorial domination, forced Roberts into only one serious save, from a fierce shot by Louis Carey early in the second half.

The keeper's namesake came closest to breaking the stalemate, Christian Roberts, missing the target by inches with an angled drive 15 minutes from time.

That came shortly after Albion's solitary threat. Paul Reid, suggesting again there are goals in him from midfield, chipped just over, with Steve Phillips stranded off his line when a throw-out was intercepted.

Cullip said: "We were playing a sort of 4-5-1 formation. You are not going to come to a place like this and get a lot of chances, which is similar to us at Withdean.

"We will be looking to win at home to Notts County now to clinch a play-off place."

If Albion are not capable of avenging that play-off final defeat by relegated County in 1991 then some would argue they do not deserve to achieve their aim, but in-form Tranmere might well do it for them by depriving Port Vale of the victory they need to keep their chances alive.

They may have a point less and be two places lower, but I would rather be in the Seagulls' position than Swindon's following their confidence-draining home defeat by Oldham.

On Saturday they go to QPR, who are desperate to win to keep their noses in front of Bristol, followed by another tough assigment on the final day at home to Hartlepool.

Albion can expect to have a top six place confirmed before then.

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Roberts (gk) 7; Virgo (rb) 7, Cullip (cd) 9, Butters (cd) 8, Harding (lb) 7, Reid (rm) 7, Oatway (cm) 7, Carpenter (cm) 7, Jones (lm) 7, Knight (f) 7, Iwelumo (f) 7. Subs: Kuipers, Mayo, Hart for Iwelumo (injured 74), Piercy for Jones (withdrawn 85), El-Abd.
  • Bookings: None.
  • BRISTOL CITY (4-4-2): Phillips; Carey, Coles, Butler, Hill, Rougier, Wilkshire, Doherty, Bell, Peacock, Roberts. Subs: Miller, Tinnion for Wilkshire (withdrawn 51), Goodfellow for Butler (withdrawn 78), Murray for Rougier (withdrawn 51), Fortune.
  • Bookings: None.
  • Attendance: 17,088 (1,768 Albion).
  • Fans' View: PAUL JOHNSON (Hove) It was probably our best away performance for quite a few games. There was a lot more fight, determination and commitment. The main difference in the last couple of games has been Paul Reid who offers us a bit more know-how in midfield and plays people into position.

STEVE COLBOURNE (Brighton) A gritty performance, which was just what was needed, and a good reward for the fantastic travelling support. We withstood the early pressure well and it was a shame that we didn't sneak it at the end. Roberts has been very reliable and Reid helped us settle the game down, playing it on the deck.

ANDY MAPLE (Lancing) Cullip is always a good player, solid at the back, Butters also played well and Reid had a good game. I wouldn't mind playing Bristol City in the play-offs because we showed we could get a result at their ground and we can beat anyone in this division at home.

ANTHONY LINDFIELD (Southend) It was a good defensive display and more organised than previous away games. Reid, Cullip and Jones worked particularly hard. I would rather play Bristol City than Swindon in the play-off semi-final but I wouldn't want to play City at Cardiff because of the number of fans they would have at the match.