Bobby Zamora put his name in the record books and Albion on the road to Round Three of the F.A. Cup for the first time in nine years.

Zamora took just six minutes to become the first player in the Seagulls' history to score in nine appearances in succession.

He capitalised on a comedy of errors by Rushden and their keeper Billy Turley to head home from point blank range.

Danny Cullip extended the lead for Peter Taylor's table toppers on 51 minutes with his first of the season, a sweet left-foot strike from 20 yards.

Cullip blemished an outstanding display eight minutes later when referee Steve Bennett ruled that he had hampered Onandi Lowe inside the Albion area.

Ritchie Hanlon scored from the spot to set up an anxious final half hour for a Withdean crowd of 5,647.