ALBION boss Chris Hughton is standing by David Stockdale after the goalkeeper’s latest mistake.

Stockdale parried a cross from Rajiv van La Parra into his own net to gift Wolves an equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at the Amex.

Stockdale’s blunder, hot-on-the-heels of a distribution error which gave Reading the lead last week, overshadowed an outstanding display including a breathtaking save to deny Bakary Sako a winner for Wolves in injury time.

Hughton told The Argus: “There’s no doubt Stocky will be disappointed with the goal that they scored but that’s the goalkeeper’s lot. He ends up making three very good saves. Two in particular were very good saves.

“That’s part and parcel of being a goalkeeper. You have to be big and strong enough to respond. You have got to remember the save he made towards the end was after he’d conceded the goal.

“It’s part and parcel of goalkeeping and you”ve got to accept the bad bits will come with the very good bits.”

Former Albion No.1 Tomasz Kuszczak was at fault for Bruno’s goal for the Seagulls four minutes before Wolves levelled. He allowed a shot from the Spaniard under his body.

Lewis Dunk is banned until the visit by Hughton’s old club Norwich on April 3 following his tenth booking of the season for an early handball.

Aaron Hughes or Greg Halford will replace Dunk at centre-half at next-to-bottom Millwall tomorrow night. Albion have a seven-point cushion over the relegation zone with nine games to go.

Simon Rusk takes charge of the under-21s for the first time since his permanent appointment against Newcastle at the Amex tonight (7pm).