Albion stayed in 22nd place in the Championship today – but they are now three points from safety.

The Seagulls remain one point ahead of Wigan after the Latics suffered late disappointment at Watford.

Troy Deeney’s second goal of the game, on 82 minutes, gave Watford a 2-1 home win over Malky Mackay’s men.

Rotherham, who started the day two points clear of the Seagulls, drew 0-0 at home to Nottingham Forest.

It was a good day for Albion’s rivals in the bottom seven.

Fulham and Birmingham both extended their advantage over the Seagulls to seven points with impressive wins.

Demarai Gray scored a first-half hat-trick as Birmingham thumped Reading 6-1 at St Andrew’s.

And Fulham grabbed a 1-0 win at Leeds with a goal similar to their equaliser at the Amex recently as Hugo Rodallega fired in a Lasse Vigen Christensen cutback.

Bolton drew 0-0 at home to Ipswich and rock bottom Blackpool came from behind to draw 2-2 at Charlton thanks to Steve Davies' 89th-minute header.