Dean Cox has revealed his surprise at being recognised as a favourite by Albion fans.

Cox, verbally abused during the warm-up before the recent home game against Bradford, finished runner-up to Dean Hammond in the player of the season poll.

The diminutive midfielder celebrated with a spectacular late strike in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Oldham at Withdean.

Cox admitted: "I was surprised to be voted in second place after the boos I got a couple of weeks ago but I am thankful to the fans and I will treasure it, coming runner-up in my first season, because I was hurt by some of the things people said.

"The fans were great to me. This time in the warm-up I got extra support and that means a lot to me.

"The biggest disappointment is that they turned up in their numbers again and wanted to see a decent performance. I thought they got that in the second half but we wanted to finish on a high with a win to send them home happy."

Cox's dipping shot from long range was his tenth goal of the season.

He said: "I think that one must be the best, the most spectacular I have scored, because it was quite far out.

"I've been looking for that tenth for quite a while. I thought I would gamble, it dropped and I just hit it.

"I didn't set myself a target this season. Just to be in the squad would have been nice but to play in most games and score ten goals is really special to me.

"It will be a challenge next season but I can take a lot of pride from my performances."

What do you think of Dean Cox's contribution this season?