Albion defender Stephen Ward has paid tribute to Tomasz Kuszczak for another clean sheet and a “world class” save against Queens Park Rangers.

Left-back Ward, who completed a 2-0 win for the Seagulls at the Amex last night, says Kuszczak has been the bedrock of the Seagulls’ challenge for the Championship play-offs.

Oscar Garcia’s team have now kept 16 clean sheets in the league this season, 14 of them with Kuszczak between the posts.

Ward told The Argus: “At 1-0 Tomasz pulled off a world class save low down to his left (from Ravel Morrison). You need your goalie to do that sometimes and he has come up trumps again.

“As a back unit we have worked really hard this year and done really well. When you have got Tomasz behind you, you know sometimes that when big saves are needed he is going to be there.

“We all put our bodies on the line for each other and it’s nice to get two goals at the other end. It made it a bit more comfortable in the last couple of minutes. In recent wins it hasn’t been.”

Harry Redknapp’s Rangers dominated the game but Leo Ulloa’s 12th goal of the season 13 minutes from time and Ward’s late strike lifted Albion to seventh, two points behind Reading and three behind Nottingham Forest with a game in hand on both.

Oscar said: "It wasn't our best performance but I am extremely proud of my players against Premier League quality opposition.

"QPR are a big club with a fantastic manager, fantastic players, but we have beaten other big teams. I am really pleased with the three points."