Gus Poyet reckons Albion passed a major test of character in their 1-0 win at Portsmouth today.

The Seagulls clung to the precious advantage given them by Craig Mackail-Smith's freak goal right on half-time.

They kept the ball, restricted the hosts to few chances and had a large slice of good fortune when Liam Lawrence hit the post with a last-minute penalty.

Boss Poyet, whose side have taken six points out of six, said: "It was a South Coast derby and it's a very tough place to come to.

"It needed some character and I think we showed that. We kept our identity intact and kept playing.

"It didn't matter we were away from home or whether it was 0-0 or we were 1-0 up.

"Sometimes in these situations luck is with you without any doubt because that penalty in the last seconds could have taken two points from us.

"That luck went for the team and I think they deserved to win the game."