Albion are showing precisely the battling qualities they will need to escape their Division One relegation scrap.

The point at Preston was a marvellous effort after going 2-0 down and the team almost went one better at Forest on Wednesday.

I'm not sure the team would have fought back so successfully at Preston three months ago.

Steve Coppell has revitalised the squad and gone a long way to restoring the players' battered confidence.

Coppell engineered a four-match unbeaten run which culminated in the 3-2 defeat at the City Ground in midweek but even then the team, minus Bobby Zamora and Graham Barrett, showed that they will not roll over and die as they did so famously at Crystal Palace in October.

Brighton are going to have to fight and battle for every single point this term if they are to stay up but on this evidence they will give it everything.

I certainly don't subscribe to the blind optimism of fans who believe Albion will stay up comfortably but a 21st or 20th place finish is not beyond the team.

There are though, several other reasons to be cheerful, as we prepare to enter the festive season.

Albion are an altogether different proposition these days from the forlorn side who lost 12 consecutive League matches earlier this term.

Brighton's new found battling reputation means teams will not fancy coming to Withdean.

There makeshift home was a crucial aspect in Brighton's recent success when they swept to successive championships.

Under Micky Adams and Peter Taylor, the Seagulls were formidable at home but that proud record has been shattered this term and the team have lost six times already at the Withdean Stadium.

Now under Coppell, I am confident the team will once again make the ground an imposing venue for other teams to come and play.

The fans can play their part too by being supportive at all times and not conveying the tension of the occasion to the players.

The other good news for Brighton fans is that the team are finding goals from all over the pitch.

In the past, if there was a criticism of Albion during their two championship winning seasons, it was that they were too reliant upon Zamora for goals.

Thankfully in recent weeks some of his team-mates have helped take the burden off him.

Defender Kerry Mayo scored the winner against Derby and both Simon Rodger and Steve Sidwell were on target in the draw at Deepdale.

The Arsenal loan player netted again in the defeat at Forest and Nathan Jones scored a cracker which should give him some confidence and create some competition for places because Jones, who is a utility player, has failed to hold down a regular place in the side.

Saturday November 30