Boss Chris Hughton has told his Albion players the route to the Premier League is to stay as close as possible to Newcastle after losing the leadership to his old club.

Late goals by Mo Diame and Spanish substitute Ayoze Perez wiped out an early Glenn Murray penalty to earn the visitors a dramatic 2-1 win at the Amex last night.

The Seagulls are back in second, two points adrift of Rafa Benitez’s side, who visit third-placed Huddersfield on Saturday when Hughton’s troops go to Nottingham Forest.

Hughton said: “Most (people) know the fondness I have for Newcastle and they are a wonderful side with a great squad. I think it’s testament to our players that we have stayed so close with them for much of the season.

“And we’ll need to do that again. Certainly the closer we are to Newcastle gives us the best chance of going up.”

Albion were below their best as they suffered their first home defeat since September, but Hughton expects his team to respond.

“Yes I do and we have to,” he told The Argus. “We have a game in a few days time and another one on Tuesday (Rotherham away).

“As Newcastle did with their result at the weekend (2-2 home to Bristol City), they had to dust themselves down. We have no choice but we’ve been beaten by a very good side and I think our contribution to the game was very good.

“At times we didn’t keep possession as well as we have in other games. When you are up against quality opposition you are going to be tested defensively. I thought we started very well and over the 90 minutes you are going to have difficult periods.”

On-loan Chelsea teenager Fikayo Tomori was an early replacement at left-back for Seb Pocognoli, whose groin injury has compounded the absences of Gaetan Bong and Liam Rosenior. Hughton said: “For us, unfortunately, it’s three players in one position, but I thought Tomori did okay. It was a tough game to come into. He was certainly tested.”