Lee Steele has vowed to ditch his unlucky No.13 squad number.

A rash red card in the reserves proved the final straw for Albion's jinxed striker.

"I'll definitely be changing that number next year," Steele said. "It has just been an absolute nightmare."

Steele has only just returned to action after a three-match ban. He was sent-off for fighting in a reserve game with QPR's Danny Maddix.

To add insult to injury the suspension was effectively extended by last Saturday's first team postponement at Halifax.

That meant Steele had to sit out Tuesday's win against Lincoln as well before making a goalscoring come-back in the reserves at Cheltenham the following day.

The affable Scouser makes no excuses for his costly rush of blood.

"The lad caught me flush on the nose with an elbow and it was very unprofessional of me to react," he admitted.

It was the latest incident in an incredible debut season of woe for the former Shrewsbury marksman following his move last summer on a Bosman free transfer.

No Albion player would wear No.13 before Steele arrived and he was soon wishing he had avoided the dodgy digit as well.

Steele jokingly threatened to get a priest to bless his shirt after an ankle injury sustained on his debut as a substitute in the opening day defeat at Southend.

The rest of the campaign has been no laughing matter for the powerfully built 27-year-old. By the time he recovered Albion were in full flow and Steele was stuck on the bench.

Other injuries followed, including a damaged knee in a car crash before Christmas, all of which has restricted him to only four starts.

Steele has not given up hope of making an impact in the climax to the season.

He scored his first goal for Albion in the 2-1 win in October at Monday's visitors Darlington, his second on his full debut in the next match against next Saturday's hosts Carlisle.

Then there is the matter of a return to Gay Meadow for the final fixture on May 5, where he was top scorer three seasons in a row.

"I am very disappointed about that goal tally of mine as well, but hopefully things will start turning for me from here," Steele said.

"I have got to get my sharpness back, hopefully put myself back in the picture and try to salvage something from what has been a very disappointing season for me."

Steele's calamitous campaign does have one benefit. Boss Micky Adams will feel as if he has got a new striker in the summer without actually having to sign one!

"I'd like to think it will seem like that," said Steele. "I haven't really felt a part of things because this season has been so stop-start for me.

"Obviously the manager brought me in for a reason and the belief is still there that I can do it."

Withdean is the "shabbiest ground" in the country, according to four Leyton Orient fans who visited all 92 League clubs in 92 hours.

They must have missed out Blackpool!