Nicky Forster has called on fans to give his latest sidekick time to impress.

The Albion captain struck up his fourth strike partnership in five weeks when recent signing Glenn Murray went on as substitute at Northampton in midweek.

By now, the Withdean regulars are likely to have seen what 6ft 1in Murray has produced on his home debut against Crewe, though the initial signs at the Sixfields Stadium were promising.

He looked a good, mobile target for his providers, produced a lovely lay-off in a move which released Jake Robinson, only for him to judged narrowly offside, and was willing to put himself about.

Clearly the Albion fans were keen to see what he could produce.

The chant Bring on Murray' went up from a well-populated away end just before the hour mark.

Nathan Elder duly departed with a wave and thumbs up to the Seagulls supporters which, even then, looked like it might have been meant to say thanks and goodbye'. Then came Murray.

The Seagulls' top scorer was suitably encouraged by what followed.

But he also made a plea for patience as supporters wait for the man with the £300,000 price tag to produce.

Forster said: "He looks a good addition. His movement is good, he wins balls in the air and he looks fairly lively.

"I think it's important we don't rush him and expect too much of him.

"Although there is a fairly high price tag on his head, he needs time to settle down.

"He is a fairly young lad still and he is a long way from home so let's be patient with him and I am sure he will be a fantastic signing for the club."

Forster spoke pretty honestly after a game in which he agonisingly remained stuck on 12 League and cup goals for the season.

He was inches from netting with a quickly-taken close range shot from a corner, only to see the ball crash down off the underside of the bar and into the hands of goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

Replays did not confirm whether or not the ball crossed the line but they did underline another fact - a striker of Forster's calibre really should have scored from there.

After the sickening Sixfields defeat, Forster admitted Albion were not ruthless enough and included himself in that criticism.

What might help though is getting a settled forward pairing together again.

Forster hit a rich vein when paired with Bas Savage through November and December as, for whatever reason, their styles seemed to click.

Before this weekend, Forster's last goal dated back to the second minute of the game at Swindon in mid-December, though the assist there was from the clumsy Robins back line.

Since then, Forster has been provider for Alex Revell on at least three occasions.

Revell was his second strike partner since Christmas. He has also been paired with Elder and Murray, as well as a very fleeting link-up with Gary Hart at Oldham.

Murray and Forster looked to have the making of something at Northampton. Albion fans will hope that proves to be the case.