Life after Adams saw Albion return to a solid-looking 4-4-2 formation.

And on the evidence of the opening quarter hour Adams' exit had not put much of a dent in the players' confidence.

But it was Huddersfield who launched the first raid with a sweeping crossfield pass by Irons to US international Thorrington on the right flank.

He set up a deep cross from captain Jenkins which Watson had to volley clear at the back post.

But Zamora brought the first real scare for the Seagulls when he went down clutching his head after an aerial collision with Huddersfield's young central defender Clarke.

Zamora, on target in the last away match at Cardiff, was soon on his feet again after treatment from physio Malcom Stuart.

Booth, who had a brief spell in the premiership with Spurs last season, shot wildly wide when Albion got themselves in a bit of a muddle 25 yards from their own goal.

Albion had a chance to take the lead in the eighth minute when Hart sent Steele scampering through the middle.

He had the pace to hold off the pursuing Clarke, but his angled effort with his right foot lacked power and Margetson made a routine save.

Steele then spurned another chance to put them ahead in the 14th minute.

Zamora and Brooker combined to feed Steele with an inch-perfect pass from the left wing in between Huddersfield's two central defenders.

It gave the striker a clear sight of goal in a central position 12 yards out, which he wasted by spooning well over the bar.

Steele looked up to the heavens in dismay at his failure to add to the three goals he has already scored as a substitute this season.

It wasn't until midway through the half that Huddersfield offered a serious threat.

Clarke's long throw seemed to catch the Albion defence by surprise. Schofield laid the ball back for his partner Booth to drive narrowly over the crossbar from an unkind angle.

Schofield made just enough room for himself moments later to fire an effort straight at Kuipers as Huddersfield tried to discover some attacking momentum.

Albion's defence was working well as a unit once more and the home side were frustrated on more than one occasion by the offside flag.

Albion deservedly went ahead ten minutes from the break with a wonderful goal by Zamora.

He spun away from his marker to race on to Watson's pass down the right wing, with the Huddersfield defence looking in vain for an offside flag.

Zamora cut in towards the penalty area, checked back away from goal on to his favoured left foot and unleashed a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

It was Zamora's fourth goal in as many away games - so much for the theory that he only scores at Withdean.

Albion almost went further in front a couple of minutes later. Zamora was involved again, this time turning provider for his partner with a cross from the byline, but Steele failed to make contact.

The ball reached Brooker towards the back of the box and his low drive was kept out one handed by Margetson at full stretch.

Zamora and Irons each had long range shots straight at the respective keepers as the flurry of action continued towards the interval.

Half-time: Huddersfield 0, Albion 2 Huddersfield made a substitution for the second half.

Heary replaced the injured Evans, who took up his position at rightback with Jenkins switching to leftback.

Irons, Huddersfield's former Tranmere playmaker, shot crisply straight at Kuipers from 20 yards early into the restart as the home side tried to claw their way back into the contest.

Booth, the ex Sheffield Wednesday striker, continued to look their biggest danger and he should have equalised in the 49th minute.

Holland made progress out towards the left wing before delivering a low diagonal cross. Booth got to it first eight yards out, but he did not connect properly which allowed Kuipers to make an important save.

The positive manner in which Huddersfield started the second half suggested they had received a rocket from boss Lou Macari.

Albion, needing to hold firm to protect a lead which would have been more convincing had Steele been more lethal, had Kuipers to thank in the 53rd minute after saving another close range header from Booth.

The Seagulls relieved the pressure with a burst of possession which ended with home keeper Margetson sprawling to collect Steele's low cross-shot from Hart's pass.

Huddersfield's early second half surge had petered out and Albion came close to doubling their advantage just after the hour.

Hart's persistence earned a corner which Watson delivered towards the near post. Cullip met it with a glancing header which Margetson blocked before the ball was whacked to safety.

Cullip had another header from further out from a Watson corner nodded off the line by Holland after Jenkins had collected the first caution of the contest for an untidy tackle on Hart.

Huddersfield never really got to grips with this spell of pressure by the Seagulls and Hart increased Albion's lead on 64 minutes.

Picking up the ball 20 yards out after the home defence had failed to clear its lines, he rifled a right foot drive past Margetson into the far corner of the net.

Hart's first goal since the end of March put the Seagulls firmly in charge, although Holland should have halved Huddersfield's arrears three minutes later when he headed just over from Thorrington's centre.

Watson's corners were posing all sorts of problems. Another was met by Zamora with a downward header which Margetson blocked once more.

Morgan squared the loose ball across the face of goal and Steele seemed sure to score from a couple of yards, but he somehow missed his kick.

Just as it seemed the Seagulls were heading for a cosy victory a Irons struck with 16 minutes left to lift the previously muted home fans.

With Kuipers still trying to organise his wall, Irons cleverly curled in a 25-yard free-kick.

Moments later Holland's well struck shot through a ruck of players from Thorrington's right wing cross was stopped by the unsighted Kuipers.

Huddersfield suddenly sensed an improbable comeback, but Albion held on to claim all three points.