Albion need just a draw against Macclesfield at Withdean on Saturday to be crowned Third Division champions.

One point from the last four games will clinch the Seagulls' first title since 1965.

Their match at Halifax last night was rained off for the second time this month.

Meanwhile Cardiff, Albion's only realistic challengers, lost 2-1 at Mansfield.

Boss Micky Adams and his players kept in touch with the score at Field Mill on the coach journey home from Yorkshire.

An 82nd-minute penalty by Mansfield's Chris Greenacre, whose double sank the Seagulls back in December, means Cardiff are still six points adrift and have only two matches left.

"It made the journey a bit more bearable for us," said Adams. "We need a point on Saturday or whenever we get it.

"We have still got a bit of work to do and we will attack it as professionally as we can."

Most Albion fans had already arrived at the waterlogged Shay Stadium last night when Walsall referee Mark Cooper postponed the match 45 minutes before kick-off.

The consolation for them is two chances to see the Seagulls land the title at home.

Chesterfield, now facing the possibility of more than a nine point deduction, visit Withdean next Tuesday.

Adams said: "There were some irate fans at Halifax and I felt sorry for them, but the referee's decision was quite correct.

"We went to the ground at 2 o'clock in the afternoon to put the kit out and the pitch actually needed some water on it at that stage, but not as much as came down later.

"I just hope those fans have tickets for Saturday and Tuesday."

The Halifax game is now expected to take place on Thursday May 3, so Albion face a hectic finish of four matches in eight days.