Boss Gus Poyet has backed Albion to return to winning ways at Exeter on Saturday after last night’s 2-0 home defeat by Charlton dropped them back into the League One relegation zone.

First-half goals by Deon Burton and Scott Wagstaff completed a hat-trick of league defeats for the Seagulls after James Tunnicliffe had earlier headed against the underside of the crossbar.

Poyet said: “I don’t think there was a two-goal difference between the teams at all. They scored with their first two efforts on target and we had a chance before then. Sometimes when you are in the situation we are it doesn’t go your way.

“I think the performance was probably the closest one to Southampton (won 3-1). We showed great effort and understanding.

“I feel sorry for the players, because they deserved better. I am sure if we play like that on Saturday we are going to win. The question is can we play to the same level again?”

Albion have now lost to Leeds, Norwich and Charlton since beating Southampton, who have moved above them after last night’s 1-0 home win against Wycombe.

Poyet said: “When you go to a new club the first thing you check is the fixtures. I knew we had Southampton, Leeds, Norwich and Charlton. I don’t think there are four bigger than that in the division.

“We’ve got three points and you can say that is not good enough. I would say drawing three of the four games and losing one is the same three points. Out of the four teams we have played three of them are going to go up for sure. We have to take it and make sure we start winning again now.”