Albion 2, Birmingham 1

Albion have their best chance of securing automatic promotion to the top flight since 1979. And Bobby Zamora knows it.

Alan Mullery, now club ambassador, delivered the dream back then. The Seagulls finished runners-up to arch-rivals Crystal Palace in an era when there was no such thing as the play-offs.

They have missed out subsequently three times in the end-of-season shoot-outs, in 1990-91 under Barry Lloyd (when they reached the final), under Gus Poyet three years ago and Oscar Garcia the following year.

Zamora is an expert at promotion via the cliffhanger option, having scored winning goals in the final for both West Ham and QPR.

But the ten-point cushion established by Chris Hughton's side within the play-off zone was not on his mind after securing Albion's seventh win out of nine at the Amex.

Zamora is targeting an automatic route back to the Premier League and why shouldn't he?

Creeping towards the halfway point of the campaign, Albion remain undefeated with a tenth victory by a single-goal margin secured by Zamora's second half tap-in.

Nothing wrong with their nerve then, although they continue to put Hughton and fans through the wringer.

They played well enough to beat the team with the best away record in the division much more decisively but were grateful for a stunning stop in injury time by David Stockdale to deny Birmingham substitute David Davis an undeserved equaliser.

Zamora, who converted the rebound two minutes into the restart after opening goalscorer Solly March's shot was partially blocked by ex-Albion keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, gave way to James Wilson midway through the second half.

The capture of thw widely pursued Manchester United prospect at the close of the loan transfer window, along with the simultaneous arrival of Dutchman Rajiv Van La Parra from Wolves, sent a message to their rivals that Albion are determined to stay where they are, back on top of the pile.

During his sprightly cameo, Wilson was unlucky not to wrap the game up, slotting past the advancing Kuszczak and against the righthand post after the again impressive Beram Kayal put him clean through.

Wilson, 20 tomorrow, will cause Championship defences trouble with his pace, movement and goalscoring instincts.

If Albion are to continue to flourish, the contributions of the wingers will be crucial, especially with Hughton essentially committed to playing 4-4-2.

March was outstanding. He teased and tormented Jonathan Grounds, the Birmingham left-back, throughout, drilling in the 17th minute breakthrough at the second attempt after his first was accidentally blocked by the still goal-starved Tomer Hemed.

On the other flank, Jamie Murphy was influential as well, running at defenders to play a part in the build-up to both goals.

March and Murphy were probably galvanised by the new threat lurking on the bench in the shape of Van La Parra.

Hughton could, at last, soon have the explosive Kazenga LuaLua to call upon as well, although the groin trouble he sustained in training in mid-September following a flying start to the season has taken much longer to clear up than anticipated.

In central midfield, keeping fit the combination of Kayal and Dale Stephens, who briefly caused concern when he required treatment to his left ankle late-on, will be pivotal.

Hughton has now added to the mix Richie Towell, who watched the match from the directors' box with his father and who will add to Albion's attacking meance in the New Year if his goal record with Dundalk in the League of Ireland proves a reliable yardstick.

Towell saw the lead provided by March wiped out quickly, which lingers as an annoying pattern.

Jon Toral nodded into an empty net when Stockdale could only fist away centrally a fierce shot from Jacques Maghoma but there is not much wrong with Albion defensively.

They are conceding well under a goal a game and possess within the squad a nice blend of quality experience and rich potential.

The only problem now is a familiar one, the seemingly jinxed left-back spot.

Liam Rosenior, switched into the role with Gaetan Bong ruled out until January, faces a long lay-off himself with a right knee injury suffered in a first half challenge with Maikel Kieftenbeld.

No blame can be attached to Birmingham's Dutch midfielder. He was trying to swipe a clearance and caught Rosenior instead at the moment he was also trying to connect with the ball on a typically energetic venture forward.

Rosenior knew instantly it was serious and had to be stretchered off.

Hughton talked throughout the loan window of trying to secure extra left-back cover. It was not for the want of trying, right up to the deadline.

The dependable Inigo Calderon was an efficient replacement for Rosenior. Severe examinations await the long-serving Spaniard next month in a tough run of fixtures but it is not so much his capacity to cope as the danger of losing him too which will haunt Hughton in the weeks ahead.

The only alternative then would be Adam Chicksen, unused since his first game in charge, unless he changed the system.

The growing list of long-term absentees is a worry, with Sam Baldock another sidelined, but Albion have dealt with everything the Championship has chucked at them so far and they can steel themselves again for the severe setback of losing Rosenior.

The benefit of the deeply competitive squad assembled by Hughton is that different players come to the fore at different times. In the draw at Burnley for a depleted line-up it was Bruno, Gordon Greer, Kayal.

Against Birmingham it was Kayal again, March, Murphy and Stockdale with his full-stretch dive to keep out a low drive by Davis.

And then there is Zamora, Bobby on the spot. His goal after also scoring on his previous home start - a header against Watford at Withdean in April 2003 - was his third matchwinner. Leeds and Bristol City suffered the same fate last month when he came off the bench.

Albion are still nowhere near clinical enough. Hemed had chances again to end his drought but Zamora's previous home goal as a starter was followed a week later by relegation from the Championship.

There is every chance this one will be followed five months later by promotion, the automatic variety.