ALBION boss Chris Hughton has hailed the gritty victory at Blackburn as a “really big result”.

The 1-0 win at Ewood Park ended a wretched run of one point from 15 which dropped the Seagulls from second in the table behind Middlesbrough on goal difference to sixth, in danger of slipping out of the play-off places.

Hughton told The Argus: “There’s no doubt, it’s a really big result. We were on the back of four defeats and a draw in the league. That is not form that keeps you in the top six.

“For us to maintain what we’ve done and stay in that top six we’re going to have to get back to the form we have showed, come away from home and put in tough days.

“It’s a necessity. Birmingham won 3-0 at Derby, which nobody saw coming. That’s the league. If sides like Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich can all do it then we have got to be in there with them.”

Hughton reserved special praise for Lewis Dunk, who was outstanding after a series of mistakes, and centre-half partner Connor Goldson on his first away start in the Championship.

Hughton said: “Both of them were very good. I’m delighted for Dunky, because he’s had a little bit of a difficult time of late.”

Albion return to action on Saturday when they host Huddersfield at the Amex. The Terriers drew 1-1 with Fulham on Saturday.