Albion boss Peter Taylor has pinpointed the camaraderie in the camp as the main reason for the Seagulls' record-breaking success.

He believes the "tremendous team spirit" will help Albion survive in the First Division next season.

Taylor's team have become the first in Albion's history to win back-to-back promotions.

Victory against Swindon at a sold-out Withdean on Saturday will add the Second Division crown to last season's Division Three triumph under Micky Adams.

"I knew the team were in good shape when I got here, but I didn't know exactly how good the players were," Taylor said.

"What they have proved to me is that they are a very close and hard working group and that's why I think we have got the success.

"We are very hard to break down and we have got Bobby (Zamora) who scores at important times. That's why we have got so many points.

"There are times when a player might let himself down every now and again and these lads sort it out for me. I haven't got to get involved. That is a tremendous team spirit and it's a lovely position to be in."

Taylor knows the bond between the players will be even more important to survive in the First Division next season.

"We are going to have the frustrations of only having 7,000 people, so it means a lot of hard work," he said. "There will be teams much stronger than us. It's our spirit that is going to get us results.

"There's no way we are going to win Division One, because it's too tough. The most important thing is to stay there and hopefully in two or three years the new stadium develops.

"There are some tremendous stadiums in the First Division and good pitches. The players will really enjoy that and they deserve to because of the amount of work they have put in this year."

Albion have risen from third to first with 18 wins, nine draws and only four defeats under Taylor. Promotion has restored his reputation after he was axed by Leicester in September.

"It has been incredible," he added. "I've had ups and downs. I've managed my country, been top of the table in the Premiership, nearly got to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and then, all of a sudden, I am the worst manager in the world and have done everything wrong.

"It's just nice for me to come here, work with a tremendous bunch of players that do everything you ask, and everyone gets rewarded. I'm delighted for the club because it's a club effort."

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