Albion's promotion hopes have been given a triple tonic by their faltering rivals.


  Leicester missed the chance to leapfrog back over the Seagulls into the Championship play-off zone when they were beaten 2-0 by Barnsley at Oakwell this afternoon.


  An early own goal by Michael Keane and Chris O'Grady (40) eased Barnsley's relegation worries and sentenced Leicester to their fifth defeat in a winless seven-match run.


  Albion remain a point above Leicester with a game in hand at home to Charlton tomorrow night.


  Leicester's defeat was not the only good news for the Seagulls. Nottingham Forest needed an injury time penalty by Lewis McGugan to draw 1-1 at Burnley.


  Victory against Charlton will move Gus Poyet's side above Forest into fifth, their highest position since early October.


  It will also move them to within two points of fourth-placed Crystal Palace, who were beaten 1-0 by ten-man Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.


  Matt Phillps stunned the Seagulls' arch rivals with a late goal after Barry Ferguson had been sent-off in the first half.