Albion fans have quickly found another goalscorer to hero-worship following Bobby Zamora's move to Spurs.

Leon Knight maintained his goal-a-game start and captured the imagination of supporters against Micky Adams' Premiership newcomers Leicester last night.

The diminutive striker on loan from Chelsea fired his third goal in as many games midway through the first half to give Steve Coppell's Seagulls a 2-0 lead.

Gary Hart had earlier headed Albion in front.

A Riccardo Scimeca free-kick on 35 minutes and a Jamie Scowcroft header (59) pulled Leicester level, but Nathan Jones gave the Seagulls a morale-boosting victory five minutes from time.

Knight, watched by Zamora, went off to a standing ovation early in the second half.

It was also an encouraging evening for Albion's crop of youngsters.

Daniel Harding, Adam Hinshelwood and Chris McPhee were all in Coppell's starting line-up.

Harding created the first two goals, while Shaun Wilkinson came on to set up Jones' winner.

Zamora was at pitchside before the match, watching his former colleagues warm up.

The fans drifting into Withdean no doubt wish he was still wearing the blue and white stripes this season instead of preparing for the Premiership with Spurs.

With Zamora gone, Knight continued to be partnered by McPhee, who has been scoring freely during pre-season.

There were several points of interest in Coppell's starting line-up.

Ben Roberts was given the nod in goal over Michel Kuipers.

Hinshelwood joined Danny Cullip in the centre of defence, with Jones at left back and Paul Watson right back.

Coppell is keen to play with a back four in the Second Division after operating for much of last season with three centre-halves.

Coppell revealed: "I, like most other people in football, am always looking at the spine of the team.

"I want to try and force a back four this season, because I think it just suits more of our players.

"The ideal situation is that we can change at a moment's notice to three centre-halves, but if we are going to be a real force in this division a back four is the best way forward.

"Portsmouth were successful with a three last year, but they had Paul Merson as a massive influence early on.

"We have lost our creative players, Bobby Zamora and Paul Brooker."

The absence of Kerry Mayo and John Piercy gave an opportunity on the left side of midfield to Harding, the third youth product in the side.

Harding grabbed his chance with both hands, setting up goals for Hart and Knight in the space of five minutes.

In the 16th minute his cross from the left was met by Hart with a firm angled header into the far corner beyond the diving Ian Walker.

It gave Hart his second goal of the friendly programme and even better followed in the 21st minute.

Harding made progress through the centre before releasing Knight with a well-timed pass.

His pace took him clear of the Leicester defence and he finished in style with a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.

The cunning Knight, with goals in his previous two outings against Barnet and Yeovil, was proving to be a real handful for the Foxes.

He had a couple of well struck drives from outside the penalty area held by Walker.

The 5ft 5in livewire even managed to beat the towering Matt Elliott in the air to a cross from Hart, but his header was clutched again by the busy Walker.

Leicester, with a handful of Adams' 11 new signings on from the start and Brooker among the substitutes, halved their arrears ten minutes from the break.

Scimeca, one of the new men from Nottingham Forest, curved a free-kick from 25 yards around Albion's three-man wall and past Roberts low-down by his left- hand post.

There had been much to admire about the Seagulls' first half display and it should have been capped with a third goal moments before the break.

McPhee, showing good strength and movement, delivered an inviting low cross which Harding scooped over from close range.

As is customary on these occasions, both teams made changes for the second half.

Adams introduced all six of his replacements, including Brooker. Coppell settled at first for bringing on Robbie Pethick in place of Cullip and Simon Rodger for Carpenter.

Harding left the action to a generous reception 11 minutes later, while Knight received a standing ovation when he was simultaneously substituted.

A squirrel scampered onto the pitch, much to the amusement of spectators. It proved as illusive as Knight had been to the Leicester defence.

However, Leicester levelled in the 59th minute, Scowcroft rising at the far post to convert Hignett's cross with a downward header from close range.

Albion, however, were not to be denied.

Wilkinson tested replacement keeper Coyne from long range before feeding Jones to drill home the winner on 85 minutes.

Albion: Roberts, Watson, Cullip, Knight, Hart, Oatway, Carpenter, Jones, McPhee, Hinshelwood, Harding. Subs: Kuipers, Pethick for Cullip (46), Rodger for Carpenter (46), Butters for Hinshelwood (63), Wilkinson for Knight (56), Marney for Hart (63), Virgo for Watson (69), Hammond for Oatway (69), Lee for Harding (56).

Leicester: Walker, Sinclair, Thatcher, Hignett, Izzet, Gillespie, Scowcroft, Deane, Howey, Elliott, Scimeca. Subs: Impey for Sinclair (46), Nalis for Scimeca (46), Stewart for Howey (46), Brooker for Gillespie (46), Coyne for Walker (46), Rogers for Deane (46). Attendance: 3,554. Referee: Mr S Tomlin (Lewes).