Albion threw themselves a survival lifeline today with a 1-0 win at Colchester.

The Seagulls are now three points from safety after results elsewhere went their way.

Lloyd Owusu secured the points with his second winning goal in the space of a week.

The striker headed the Seagulls into a 57th-miute lead from Gary Borrowdale's free-kick.

That set-piece was won by Gary Hart, who was very lively in attack in only his third start of the season.

Hart almost got on the end of a rebound just before the goal after Dean Cox had seen a shot saved after a sweeping move.

The Seagulls were good value for their second win in a week as they controlled the second half.

Colchester's best moment came on 19 minutes when Mark Yeates got in behind Borrowdale but saw his shot smothered by the oncoming Michel Kuipers.