Micky Adams has saluted Albion's astonishing away support.

A Seagull Scene investigation has revealed the true extent of Albion's travelling army. More fans have watched them away from home this season than Adams' old club Southampton.

Our survey also suggests Adams' men will benefit from the best travelling support in the Second Division next season. Almost 25,000 fans have seen Albion in action away from Withdean already this term.

Their average following for League games is 1,163, not bad considering next Saturday's hosts Halifax average only about 800 more than that for home matches!

It also eclipses Southampton's average away support in the Premiership of 1,140.

Albion's highest turnout was 3,500 for the opening day setback at Southend. Nearly 3,000 were rewarded with a victory earlier this month at Leyton Orient.

Two thousand two hundred enjoyed the FA Cup drubbing of Aldershot and almost as many witnessed the unfortunate defeat at leaders Chesterfield in October.

Distance seems to be no deterrent. The backing for treks to Torquay, Exeter, York and Macclesfield was just below the 1,000 mark.

Albion can expect one of their smallest turnouts for Tuesday's visit to Rochdale. The lowest figures so far have been for long Tuesday night trips to Blackpool (341) and Scunthorpe (364).

Adams has been amazed by the level of support on the road.

"The extraordinary thing is that until the last couple of seasons we haven't had a good away record," he said.

"We had good away support at Fulham when we went up and I think it builds on results. Fans are more confident of seeing you winning. They don't mind spending their money if they know they are going to see a team having a go at getting some sort of result.

"The really staggering thing with our supporters is that costs like all the travelling and eating do not put them off."

The difficulty of getting tickets for home matches at Withdean has probably increased Albion's backing at some of the more accessible away games.

Gone are the days when you could wake up on a Saturday morning, look at the weather and make a late decision to pop along to the Goldstone.

Matches at the likes of Leyton Orient, Southend and Barnet have offered the only realistic opportunity for some to see the Seagulls this season, but such geographically friendly fixtures are few and far between in the Third Division.

It will be a different story in the Second Division next season, when the miles covered by Albion's travelling army will drop dramatically.

Support on the road is sure to rise, yet it is already running at levels comparable with the best Division Two has to offer.

The average away following so far this season for promotion challengers Millwall is 1,211.

Albion's former landlords Gillingham averaged only around 500 for away matches last season, when they were promoted from the Second Division via the play-offs.

Another bumper turnout is assured for Albion's Easter Saturday trip to Plymouth.

The Seagulls have been allocated 1,870 terrace tickets for the clash at Home Park on April 14.