Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was relieved to hold onto a precious derby victory against Albion.

Palace withstood a strong second half display by the Seagulls at Selhurst Park to win 3-2, move six points clear of the drop zone and within a point of their arch-rivals.

Hodgsons said: "We died a few deaths there in the last 15 minutes in particular, especially after doing so well in the first half.

"We were disappointed we didn't have a better margin to build our second half performance, and they got back at us. But it's good to know your team can hold on. "Brighton were very good second half, took much more initiative, crossed the ball earlier, and asked questions of our goalkeeper and back four.

"But that'll happen as we try and scramble over the line. There'll be plenty of those matches. It's just nice to come into a dressing room and my office knowing that, yes, it could have gone pear-shaped for us in the second half, but didn't on this occasion.

"There have been so many occasions sitting here listening to people sympathising with performances deserving better."