ALBION boss Chris Hughton has credited Ben Roberts with the capture of Stoke penalty saving hero Mathew Ryan.

The Australian No.1 preserved a precious point in the 1-1 draw at the bet365 Stadium with a diving stop from Charlie Adam’s last minute spot-kick.

Ryan has been in excellent form in the Premier League all season since the Seagulls signed him from Valencia in the summer to replace David Stockdale, who is back in the Championship with Birmingham.

Hughton said: “Probably most credit has got to go to Ben Roberts, our goalkeeping coach. He is the one who went to see him play, watched hours and hours of video.

“Of course I saw him. I didn’t see him live. Ben just thought he was a player at the right age, really enthusiastic. He’s different, not as big as some of the other keepers, but very athletic and really hungry to do well.

“The problem we have as managers is getting the time. I certainly watched a lot of him on video. We also, of course, have recommendations from our scouts but Ben is the one who looked at him and recommended him. You have to have faith in your staff.”

Former Albion No.1 Roberts also played a part in Ryan’s penalty save after Dale Stephens had been harshly penalised by ref Bobby Madley for a shove on Adam’s fellow Stoke sub Jese.

Hughton told The Argus: “With every game we play Ben will analyse where particular players have scored most. But we all know when it comes to it you’ve just got to stand, go the right way.

“Certainly some of that’s calculated by the thoughts of the goalkeeper and some of that will be a feel on the game.”

Hughton believes justice was done as Albion stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to four games, despite Madley’s controversial penalty call.

“He was certainly in a good enough position to see it but I’m adamant it was very soft,” Hughton said. “That was the fear (losing). It would have been incredibly hard on us. The team put in a really good shift and, for an away team, had real intent to win. It feels like a little bit of justice.”