Albion gave their play-off hopes a massive boost by winning 4-1 at promoted Leicester tonight.

Stephen Ward and Jesse Lingard scored in the first half and Leo Ulloa added a second-half brace.

Albion were 2-0 up in 24 minutes and left-back Ward was heavily involved in both goals.

He galloped on to recalled Kazenga LuaLua’s clever pass to force the corner for the 17th-minute opener and then headed home Dale Stephens’ delivery from close range.

Seven minutes later Ward whipped in a superb cross from near the corner flag and Lingard rose to head home.

It almost got even better for the Seagulls as Ulloa angled a lob past the oncoming Kasper Schmeichel but wide of the far post.

Chris Wood was sent on as part of a double switch by the hosts at half-time and almost immediately sent a shot against the outside of the post.

But then Stephens almost put the contest beyond doubt as he eased the ball past the advancing Schmeichel, only for Marcin Wasilewski to get back and clear from just in front of his own goal.

Stephens teed up Ulloa’s second-half double before Gary Taylor-Fletcher replied at the death.

Ulloa fired past two defenders on the line and then thumped home a far-post header for his brace.