This was the type of bravery and gritty defiance Albion showed to survive for a season as a Championship side from their humble Withdean base.

Danny Cullip salutes 785 away fans after a terrific, hard-earned 1-0 success at Nottingham Forest on a Wednesday night early in the 2004-05 season.

The centre-back’s tattooed torso, the trickle of blood coming from his head and that look of steely determination made this shot by our photographer Simon Dack one of the most iconic Albion images of the past 15 years or so.

It summed up the us-against-the-world defiance the club had to show during the Withdean era, especially away to some of the bigger outfits in the second tier.

Cullip was bearing the marks of battle after taking a kick in the head from substitute Marlon King as the Seagulls clung on to a precious lead for more than an hour.

The Argus:

Adam Virgo, playing as a target man alongside Leon Knight, headed home the only goal at the far post from a typically pinpoint Darren Currie corner.

Albion were just finding their feet in the division after promotion via the play-offs at the Millennium Stadium four months previously.

This result was part of a run of ten points from four away games which well and truly established them in more esteemed company.

The Argus:

It was ground out the hard way on an emotional occasion at the City Ground in the week after legendary former Forest manager, as well as short-lived Albion boss, Brian Clough died.

Michel Kuipers produced heroics in goal and Cullip stood strong alongside Adam Hinshelwood in the heart of defence.

Charlie Oatway played as an emergency right-back for an hour until boss Mark McGhee, sensing the need for more height in his rearguard, sent Virgo back to help out and introduced Chris McPhee in attack.

Cullip had to leave the action after his collision with King, leaving the visitors to see the job through with ten men.

The Argus:

Kuipers was in inspired form and McGhee recognised that after the game.

He added: “You are going to come under pressure, they are going to have chances, and your goalkeeper has to withstand that. He was superb.”

Kuipers said: “We are very excited every time we play away from home because we are playing in great stadiums.”

The result heaped pressure on Forest boss Joe Kinnear with his side stuck in the bottom three, just below Gillingham and Crewe.

Albion were five points and six places clear of the drop zone and ultimately stayed up on the final day of the season when Virgo scored again, in a 1-1 draw at home to Ipswich.

Albion: Kuipers; Oatway (McPhee 62), Cullip, Hinshelwood, Harding; Hammond (Mayo 70), Carpenter, Nicolas, Currie; Knight (Jarrett 73), Virgo.