Chris Iwelumo could not in his wildest dreams have imagined making a more dramatic impact on his debut for Albion.

The giant Scot blew away Chesterfield's five-month undefeated record at windswept Saltergate in spectacular fashion.

An explosive shot from 30-yards into the top corner seven minutes from time embellished a third goal of the season for Guy Butters and clinched a first away success for the Seagulls since November.

It was Iwelumo's first League goal since a penalty at Coventry for Stoke towards the end of last season, which pushed Albion closer to relegation from the First Division.

There were signs last night that Iwelumo and 23-goal Leon Knight can take Albion straight back up, especially once the new signing is fully fit having made only one appearance for Stoke since November.

Manager Mark McGhee said: "We know he can score goals. I don't think he is going to be as prolific as Leon but to score a goal like that on his debut was fantastic for him.

"He gave us the centre forward presence we needed. When Leon learns to play off his flicks I think he will benefit from Chris."

McGhee also paid tribute to the dependable Butters, who headed his first goal for six months. "I said to Guy before the game it was about time he got a goal. He thoroughly deserved it because his performances have been superb, as solid as a rock."

The first half was always going to be a battle for Albion, playing straight into the teeth of a very strong wind.

It made life particularly difficult for Ben Roberts on the 100th League appearance of his career.

The former Charlton custodian's goalkicks were invariably blown into touch or back to midway inside Albion territory.

Roberts almost misjudged a free-kick from long range by Chesterfield captain Mark Hudson, helping it for a corner with one hand.

Chris Brandon shot wide on the turn from the edge of the area but there were few concerns for the Seagulls' back four in the opening quarter of the contest.

Gus Uhlenbeek, the Chesterfield rightback, had already over-run the ball when he went down inside the Albion area under a challenge from Nathan Jones. The penalty appeals came from the home supporters rather than the players.

The Albion fans were typically good humoured. Early on there were chants of "same old Spireites, always cheating", a reference to the fierce rivalry between the clubs in the Third Division a couple of seasons ago.

Chesterfield were docked points for financial irregularities as Albion overtook them to win the Championship.

It was a difficult baptism early on for Iwelumo who, along with Knight, was forced to feed on scraps.

Albion's new front man did at least make his muscular presence felt in the opening minutes in an aerial challenge with Ian Evatt from a throw-in which left the former Derby centre half requiring treatment.

It was all going pretty much according to plan for Albion at this stage. Although they had created very little themselves, they had also limited opportunities to a minimum for their hosts, who struggled to take advantage of the elements.

Home supporters and players alike had become frustrated, always an encouraging sign for the away team.

Chesterfield's growing anxiety was emphasised by bookings in the space of four minutes for Alan O'Hare and Derek Niven, for fouls on Gary Hart and Dan Harding respectively, and a slip by Steve Blatherwick which ended with Knight firing over the bar.

Their anger intensified in the closing stages of the half when they felt Knight had made a meal of a challenge. Evatt had his name taken, to a chorus of boos, for his part in the melee which followed.

Words were exchanged between players from both sides but it did not remotely compare with the mass confrontation at Stockport last month, which landed both Albion and County with an FA charge for failing to control their players.

The script continued to be followed to perfection by Albion. With the wind behind them in the second half, they seized the lead in the 49th minute.

It was a simple goal, Butters nodding in Jones' corner to the far post from close range.

Butters' previous two goals had also come away from Withdean, in the draw at Plymouth in August and the victory at Rushden and Diamonds a month later.

Albion used the elements intelligently, keeping Chesterfield pinned inside their own half.

They became much more of an attacking threat in the process, Charlie Oatway testing keeper Carl Muggleton from 20-yards and Hart shooting just wide from even further out.

There were also signs that Iwelumo could develop a profitable partnership with Knight once he is fully match fit.

They linked up well on one occasion, the 6ft 4in Iwelumo heading on a pass from Butters to his diminutive side-kick, who missed the target for once with an angled drive.

It was so nearly deja vu for Butters with 15 minutes left when another far post header, this time from Richard Carpenter's inswinging corner, crashed against the cross bar.

Iwelumo's rocket destroyed any chance Chesterfield had of maintaining an undefeated home run stretching back to October. The big man will not forget his debut in a hurry.

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Roberts (gk) 7; Cullip (cd) 7, Knight (f) 7, Hart (rm) 7, Oatway (cm) 7, Carpenter (cm) 7, Butters (cd) 8, N. Jones (lm) 7, Virgo (rb) 7, Harding (lb) 7, Iwelumo (f) 8. Subs: Mayo, Piercy, El-Abd, S. Jones, J. Robinson.
  • Booking: Cullip (46) foul.
  • Scorers: Butters (49), Iwelumo (83).
  • CHESTERFIELD (4-4-2): Muggleton; Uhlenbeek, O'Hare, Blatherwick, Allott, Hurst, Hudson, Brandon, Reeves, Evatt, Niven. Subs: Dawson, Innes for Hudson (withdrawn 66), Davies for O'Hare (withdrawn 84), Richmond, M. Robinson for Reeves (withdrawn 76).
  • Bookings: O'Hare (32) foul, Niven (36) foul, Evatt (42) unsporting behaviour, Reeves (48) foul.
  • Half-Time: Chesterfield 0 Albion 0.
  • Attendance: 4,478.
  • Fans' View: LEIGH BREACH (Farnham, Surrey) I thought it was an excellent performance and we fully deserved the win. It was nice to get our first double of the season and our first away win for some time. We should get into the play-offs, no problem, and I'd like to think we might even get automatic promotion if we put a string of good results together.

MATT MARTINDALE (Burgess Hill) The first half was more hoofing it but I thought it was a very good performance in the second half. Chris Iwelumo held the ball up well, Leon Knight looked very sharp, Adam Virgo played well and all our defenders were solid.

ADAM BRAY (Fakenham, Norfolk) It was my first away game of the season and really good to get the away result we so craved for. We passed the ball around well in the second half and 2-0 says it all really, although it could have been more than that. The new guy (Iwelumo) scored a really good goal.

BEN COX (Horsham) We were playing against the wind in the first half but it was a much better second half and we got our passing going. Chris Iwelumo's goal was a superb strike, Guy Butters was probably man of the match and Danny Cullip was as solid as usual at the back.