Adam Virgo made his first start for Albion against mid-table Mansfield at Withdean.

The 18-year-old central defender came in alongside Andy Crosby in the absence through injury of Danny Cullip and Matthew Wicks.

Boss Micky Adams made one other change to the team which drew 2-2 at promotion rivals Hartlepool a fortnight ago.

Steve Melton returned to midfield at the expense of Nathan Jones, who dropped to the bench.

Adams had to watch from the directors' box following his 14-day dugout ban.

All the early pressure came from Albion, with Mayo's long throw-ins causing the Mansfield defence a few problems.

Hart set up Carpenter for a shot which he dragged well wide as the Seagulls searched for an early breakthrough.

Hart had to change his shorts and Albion almost caught Mansfield with their pants down moments later.

A header by Jervis back to his keeper Mimms from Crosby's long pass was intercepted by Hart.

He nipped in to score, but the linesman was flagging for offside.

Zamora headed over from another Watson corner, Albion's fifth in the opening quarter of an hour.

But he rewarded the Seagulls' superiority a couple of minutes later.

Carpenter's chipped pass put him clean through and he calmly lobbed the advancing Mimms.

Zamora celebrated by pointing to the number 25 on his shorts, which is the number of goals he has scored already in a prolific first full season with Albion.

Albion skipper Rogers had his name taken in the 21st minute for a late challenge on Disley inside the centre circle.

Zamora was nursing an unfortunate blow to his right hand after team mate Mayo accidentally struck the ball at him.

Mansfield were no doubt hoping it would put the young marksman off his stride, because they were finding it difficult to contain the Seagulls.

There was a zip about Adams' men following a fortnight's break.

It took the visitors almost half an hour to force their first corner.

Williamson pulled it back to the edge of the area for Lawrence to shoot well over.

Jervis did just enough at the far post to deny Zamora the chance to head his second goal of the game.

The incident left Zamora hobbling and led to consecutive corners for the Seagulls.

The second of them, taken by Watson, was headed over by Rogers as Albion maintained the one way traffic.

A break in play allowed Zamora to receive treatment from physio Malcolm Stuart.

The injury was clearly of some concern, as Stuart gestured to the bench for the club doctor.

Zamora received prolonged treatment behind the Mansfield goal, during which time Watson collected the Seagulls' caution for a foul near the touchline on Clarke.

Zamora eventually returned to loud applause with five minutes of the half remaining. He was clearly struggling to shake off the injury, although it did not prevent him wrong-footing the Mansfield defence to deliver a cross which Mimms punched clear at full stretch.

Albion almost doubled their lead in the closing stages of the half, Melton heading over when Hart nodded back across from Brooker at the far post.

Zamora re-emerged after the interval with his right hand heavily strapped.

He nearly increased Albion's advantage three minutes into the restart, escaping from Asher to head narrowly wide from Watson's smartly taken free-kick.

Mansfield gave Albion a warning with a rapid breakaway from a corner.

The Seagulls were outnumbered at the back as Disley set up Clarke for a low shot which Kuipers did well to keep out with his left hand.

Mansfield's youthful side began to grow in confidence and Albion were suddenly and unexpectedly on the rack for a spell.

Adams used his mobile phone to stay in contact with assistant Bob Booker on the bench.

Albion's growing anxiety was almost relieved on the hour mark, Brooker rifling a shot against the post after Zamora put him through.

Thomas came on for his debut moments later in place of Rogers.

The Seagulls made another change on 62 minutes, Zamora finally limping off to be replaced by Jones.

Brooker switched to the right flank, Jones came on down the left and Hart was now the central striker.

The decisive blow came minutes inside injury time as Hart put Albion 2-0 up.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Andy Crosby, Paul Rogers, Gary Hart, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Steve Melton, Adam Virgo, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Freeman, Oatway, Stant, Jones, M. Thomas.

Mansfield Town: Bobby Mimms; Alistair Asher, Les Robinson, Darrell Clarke, Chris Greenacre, Bobby Hassell, Stuart Reddington, Craig Disley, David Jervis, Lee Willimson, Liam Lawrence. Subs: Williams, Corden, Boulding, Andrews, Pilkington.

Referee: Mr A. Bates (Stoke-on-Trent).