If you could choose somebody to assist Albion's promotion push in the fraught finale to the season what qualities would you look for?

Probably a proven track record. Almost certainly an appetite for a fight when the going gets a little tough. Perhaps an ability to handle explosive situations.

Enter Phil Stant, promotion veteran, Falklands War hero and bomb disposal expert.

Stant received the customary calls of condolence from other managers when he was sacked by Lincoln last week.

Albion boss Micky Adams offered the former soldier something a bit more substantial than words of sympathy.

"Micky rang me up and said I could come down and do a bit with Brighton," Stant revealed. "I was in two minds at first. He rang me an hour after I had been sacked, so I was still in turmoil, but I was delighted to accept his offer."

Stant trained with Albion last Friday, signed on a non-contract basis and made his debut as a late substitute for Bobby Zamora in last Saturday's vital victory over promotion rivals Leyton Orient.

At 38 he is just about old enough to be Zamora's father. It is that experience, gained during an 18-year career with 11 different clubs, which Adams believes could be invaluable off the pitch as much as on it as the season enters its nerve-jangling stage.

"I have always trained and kept myself fit," Stant said. "I have played in the reserves for Lincoln this season but not the first team.

"It is only a short-term arrangement which either of us can finish. I think I've had about eight promotions so far and I am here to help with my experience, especially with the younger lads.

"I have been in football a long time and you learn to deal with the ups and downs when they come along."

Bolton-born Stant joined the army straight from school. Reading signed him from Camberley before he was posted to Germany for three years.

"I fought in the Falklands, came back and was posted to Hereford," he explained. "I finished up as bomb disposal there.

"Hereford bought me out of the army in 1986 and that is when my football career really started."

Stant left Notts County for Fulham shortly before County beat Albion in the 1991 Division Two play-off final at Wembley.

He had loan stints at Blackpool, Lincoln and Huddersfield during his time at Meadow Lane, then went on to play for Mansfield (twice), Cardiff, Bury and Northampton.

Lincoln re-signed him from Bury on Boxing Day 1996 and Stant was groomed last season to take charge at Sincil Bank from former chairman John Reames. The last seven months have been a managerial baptism of fire. Lincoln were next-to-bottom when the new Board wielded the axe.

"It didn't come as a surprise," Stant said. "It has been a struggle all season with no funds, like most clubs in the lower reaches.

"I was doing the job with one hand tied behind my back, but I enjoyed the experience.

"They were very difficult circumstances, but I took the job knowing that and I am a better person for it.

"It has been a great learning curve for me and management is still what I want to do."

For now though Nottingham-based Stant is happy to help a team he had previously admired from a distance.

He plotted Albion's downfall at Sincil Bank back in August. Ex-Seagull and fellow former soldier David Cameron was on target that day, but Stant sensed things would soon change.

"Brighton battered us, even though we beat them 2-0," he admitted. "It has been my job to know about teams in the lower leagues and they were one of my tips before the season started. They have got a smashing set of players and some good young players. I am pleased I have been proved right."

Stant still has some loose ends to tie up with Lincoln and one date in the promotion run-in has already caught his eye. His old club are at Withdean on April 10.

He came on to rescue a point for Lincoln with a late equaliser in the corresponding fixture last season, which raised his career tally to 169 goals in 426 League games.

An occasional repeat for Albion would suit Adams fine between now and May.