Albion’s play-off dream was ended by a Wilfried Zaha double at The Amex.

The Crystal Palace winger struck on 70 and 88 minutes to give his side a 2-0 win in the Championship play-off semi-final.

He got into a central area to head home a superb cross by sub Yannick Bolasie.

Then, with time running out on Albion, he ensured victory as he turned Gordon Greer and flashed home a drive via the underside of the bar.

Zaha’s first goal came just five minutes after Ashley Barnes twice went agonisingly close for the Seagulls.

Barnes saw a right-foot flick - with his first touch after going on as substitute - deflect off oncoming goalkeeper Julian Speroni and on to the top of the bar.

Barnes headed the resulting corner back across Speroni but it was cleared off the line by Dean Moxey.

Albion, though, struggled to get into their stride against an impressive Palace side.

The Eagles should have gone ahead on 48 minutes when Jonny Williams fired inches wide after Zaha sent him clean through.

Palace now face a Wembley final against Watford, whose boss Gianfranco Zola was in crowd.

Speroni was forced into the only save of note in the first half, diving to his right to parry a Will Buckley drive.

David saw a curler deflect narrowly wide and Dean Hammond fired just past the post.

At the other end Aaron Wilbraham deflected Owen Garvan’s shot just wide and Garvan later fired straight at Tomasz Kuszczak.