Two of Albion's goalscoring legends have been lined up for an all-stars match before Kerry Mayo's testimonial against Reading at Withdean in the summer.

Peter Ward and Bobby Zamora would have formed quite a partnership but, if you had to choose between them, who would you go for?

For me it has to be Zamora.

Now I know this is tantamount to treason in the eyes of many fans but they are blinded by nostalgia, by the emotional attachment of Albion's favourite son banging goals in left, right and centre at a packed Goldstone against mainly inferior opposition.

Zamora had to strut his stuff at soulless Withdean and yet he still outscored Ward.

Wardy found the net 62 times in 125 games for the Seagulls at League Two, League One and Championship level.

Zamora hit the target 70 times in 119 matches, more goals in fewer appearances.

I often smile to myself when supporters list their idea of Albion's best-ever players, because they so often overlook a crucial consideration - the standard they were performing at. The overriding impression is that Wardy did not quite cut it at top level.

Yes, I remember that hat-trick on his England under-21 debut against Norway at the Goldstone and eye-cacthing League Cup performances against the likes of Derby and West Brom, but they were isolated examples.

In Ward's first season with Albion at Championship standard (1977-78) he scored 14 goals in 39 games in a team which just missed out on promotion. In Zamora's only season with the Seagulls in the Championship he also scored 14 goals but made only 35 appearances in a relegated side.

Brian Horton scored more from midfield than Ward the following year while Zamora, once he had left Albion, won promotion for West Ham from the Championship via the play-offs with a scoring spree.

Ward struggled at Premiership level for both Albion and Nottingham Forest. The Seagulls' first season in the top flight (1979-80) was comfortably his best, 16 goals in 42 games.

He managed only one in 11 next season and two in 16 back on loan from Forest, a total of 19 goals in 69 appearances.

Zamora, of course, never played for Albion in the Premiership but he has netted 17 times in 63 games for West Ham.

His well-taken winner against Everton at West Ham last Saturday was his 11th goal in 29 appearances, this in a team heading for the drop.

Wardy peaked early. He excelled over a five-year period. Once Albion sold him to Forest, at the age of 25, his career essentially went downhill.

Zamora, apart from that blip at Spurs when he was blighted by managerial upheaval, has been starring over a six-year period since the age of 19, when he first joined the Seagulls on loan. He is still only 25 and seems to be getting better with age.

Longevity gives him the edge in another respect as well. He is six inches taller, and about 20 lbs heavier, than the slightly built Wardy was.

Those physical advantages make him a more complete player. Wardy was fleet of foot, exceptional on the turn and a deadly finisher but even his biggest fans would surely accept he was not much of a threat in the air.

He was good, very good, but Zamora is better.

So who is the best? Join the debate and have your say