Charlie Oatway returned to one of his happy hunting grounds in this weekend's crucial clash.

The tigerish Albion midfielder replaced rested skipper Paul Rogers for the clash against mid-table Plymouth at Home Park.

Oatway scored twice in a 3-3 draw in last season's corresponding fixture. It is the only time he has managed more than one goal in a League game.

Albion and their 1,300 fans went into the match knowing victories today and on Monday would clinch promotion, irrespective of other results.

Their bid for the title also received a boost with the recommended nine-point deduction for Chesterfield following an investigation into alleged financial irregularities.

Albion could not have wished for a better start, Brooker firing them ahead in the third minute.

It emanated from good work down the left involving the former Fulham winger and Mayo.

Watson's resulting corner was nodded clear only as far as Melton, who headed the ball back into the danger area.

Larrieu, Plymouth's French keeper made a mess of trying to punch clear in a packed penalty box and Brooker's shot from 20 yards found the roof of the net.

The Seagulls' dream start continued as Zamora doubled their advantage on 16 minutes.

Hart's half-blocked shot fell nicely into the young marksman's path. Zamora held off a challenge to tuck a left-foot shot past Larrieu from eight yards.

Zamora's 27th of the season and third in as many matches against Plymouth put Albion firmly in charge and they began to exude confidence with their passing.

As half time approached, Albion's travelling army were not surprisingly in good voice behind Kuipers' goal.

An optimistic free-kick from 30 yards by Taylor flew harmlessly over the bar to ironic cheers from the visiting support.

Crosby intervened when Phillips got in behind the Albion defence to cross early into the restart.

Phillips caused more danger with a cross just out of McCarthy's reach beyond the far post as Watson challenged.

Plymouth's threatening start to the second half continued, O'Sullivan heading straight at Kuipers from another centre by Phillips.

But Albion had more of a cutting edge when they attacked.

Plymouth made a substitution on 55 minutes, Evers replacing McGlinchey.

Hart collected the first caution of the contest six minutes later for pulling back O'Sullivan 30 yards from the Albion goal.

The Seagulls continued to look solid at the back, Kuipers punching away another Phillips' cross at the cost of Argyle's second corner.

Hart, injured a couple of times earlier in the match, was substituted by Jones on 64 minutes. Jones took up his normal position on the left, with Brooker switching to the right.

Plymouth made another change at the same time, Stonebridge replacing McCarthy upfront.

Albion fans started chanting 'we are going up' as news filtered through that Hartlepool had gone 1-0 down at home to Hull.

Oatway had his name taken with 18 minutes left after one of the linesmen drew the referee's attention to an off-the-ball incident.

The sides traded further substitutions in the closing stages.

Stant replaced Zamora for the Seagulls while Meaker came on at the expense of Adams for Plymouth.

Jones had his name taken for time-wasting before Albion made their final substitution, Rogers replacing Carpenter.

Plymouth: Romain Larrieu; Wayne O'Sullivan, Jon Beswetherick, Craig Taylor, Sean McCarthy, Mickey Evans, Paul Wotton, Steve Adams, Martin Phillips, Brian McGlinchey, Stuart Elliott. Subs: Sheffield, Evers, Stonebridge, Meaker, Guinan.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Andy Crosby, Gary Hart, Charlie Oatway, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Steve Melton, Bobby Zamora. Rogers, Stant, Jones, Virgo, M. Thomas.

Referee: Mr F. Stretton (Nottingham)