ALBION boss Russell Slade reckons set pieces can be key to his side’s fate this season.

The Seagulls moved to within three points of safety as Lloyd Owusu headed home a Gary Borrowdale free-kick to beat Colchester yesterday.

Slade, whose side scored from a corner against Swindon on Saturday, is convinced dead ball situations can be crucial over the four remaining games.

He said: “We work quite quite hard on set plays and players doing their jobs for and against.

“It was a good finish, a good header.

“They will be disappointed that Lloyd has almost had a free header to be honest but he’'s up there.

“That’s what he is there for, a big striker who can head the ball. He got his head on it and gave us a wonderful goal.”

Results elsewhere went Albion’s way yesterday, offering new hope in the fight for survival.

Slade added: “Now we play Oldham on Saturday with a chance, just a chance, of getting out of the bottom four."