Bobby Zamora's wonder strike earned Albion the point they needed to climb off the foot of the First Division.

The Seagulls' star striker curled in his sixth goal in 14 games this season from 20 yards on the stroke of half-time.

Ipswich fought back after the break and Jim Magilton levelled from 25 yards on 78 minutes, but the point was enough to take Albion above Sheffield Wednesday.

Both teams made a couple of changes.

Simon Rodger and Gary Hart were ruled out by injury, which meant starting roles for Brooker and Barrett.

Ipswich left out top scorer Counago. Armstrong replaced him up front, while Wright came in for the injured Mark Venus.

Brooker operated to begin with in the hole between the midfield and forwards on his first Withdean start since November 2.

Ipswich dominated the opening exchanges and Kuipers had to race off his line to clear from Bent after Magilton won a challenge with Sidwell.

Albion's response was impressive as they came agonisingly close to taking a sixth-minute lead.

Brooker left the Ipswich defence for dead with a run through the middle before finding Zamora.

His angled left-foot drive from 10 yards beat Gerrard but rebounded off the inside of the far post.

Ipswich were forced to reshuffle after only 11 minutes. McGreal, a doubt before the match, was hurt in a firm challenge by Sidwell.

He was replaced by Bent's England under-20 colleague Ambrose, with Republic of Ireland International Holland dropping back into the heart of the back five.

Brooker was finding plenty of room in his free role.

Ipswich failed to pick him up when Zamora, with his back to goal, neatly controlled and then laid off Kuipers' long goal kick to him.

Brooker's resulting low shot from the edge of the area was well held by on loan Everton keeper Gerrard, diving to his right.

It was another encouraging attempt by Albion, but Ipswich looked quite dangerous themselves.

Ambrose took advantage of a ricochet off Carpenter to force Kuipers into a smothering stop at the expense of a corner.

An incisive pass from Wright through the inside left channel put Ambrose in behind the Albion rearguard, but the young substitute did not make the most of the opening with a cross which was cut out by Kuipers.

Albion skipper Cullip, outstanding in last Saturday's relegation stalemate at Sheffield Wednesday, was looking solid again on the 200th League appearance of his career.

Both defences were generally on top in the first half hour as Ipswich's lack of a cutting edge so far this season was evident again.

Zamora, wearing gloves as protection against the intense cold, was leading the line well, although Albion were let down on more than one occasion by an overhit final pass.

The irrepressible Zamora put the Seagulls ahead with a majestic strike in the final minute of the half.

Brooker counter-attacked to feed him through the inside right channel after an Ipswich passing move deep into Albion territory broke down.

Zamora advanced to curl an exquisite left-footer beyond Gerrard from 20 yards, his 68th League goal in 104 appearances for the club.

Ipswich made a substitution upfront for the second half, introducing Naylor for Armstrong.

Sidwell almost doubled Albion's advantage two minutes into the restart, with a stooping header wide of the target from Jones' deep cross.

Joe Royle's dissatisfaction with the Ipswich front runners was emphasised with a third and final change for the visitors as early as the 54th minute, Counago coming on in place of Bent.

The substitutions brought Ipswich to life as they enjoyed their best period of the contest.

Ambrose shot just wide on the turn from 12 yards and Counago was narrowly off target with an effort from outside the box.

Kuipers then had to beat away a free kick from Ambrose and spectacularly tip over a fierce 20-yarder from Clapham.

Albion were clinging on to their slender lead while continuing to threaten on the break.

One such raid, instigated by Barrett and Jones, ended with Zamora's cross just eluding the stretching Brooker.

Ipswich were rewarded for their spell of supremacy with an equaliser 12 minutes from time, Magilton cracking in a low shot from 25 yards.

Albion immediately brought on Oatway for Brooker and then on 83 minutes Piercy for his home debut at the expense of Barrett.

Jones almost won it for Albion in the closing stages with a cute chip over the bar after Wilnis had gone close for Ipswich and Kuipers saved another free kick from Ambrose.

  • Albion (5-3-2): Kuipers (gk) 9; Watson (rwb) 7, Mayo (cd) 7, Cullip (cd) 8, Pethick (cd) 7, Jones (lwb) 7, Brooker (lm) 8, Carpenter (cm) 7, Sidwell (rm) 7, Zamora (f) 8, Barrett (f) 7.

Subs: Oatway for Brooker (withdrawn 79), Piercy for Barrett (withdrawn 83); Not used: Rogers, Packham, Hinshelwood.

  • Scorers: Zamora (45).
  • Bookings: None.
  • Ipswich (5-3-2): Gerrard; Wilnis, Clapham, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Magilton, Holland, Armstrong, Wright, D. Bent, Gaardsoe.

Subs: Counago for Bent (withdrawn 54), Naylor for Armstrong (withdrawn 46), Ambrose for McGreal (injured 11); Not used: Marshall, Richards.

  • Scorers: Magilton (78).
  • Bookings: None.
  • Half-Time: Albion 1 Ipswich 0.
  • Attendance: 6,377.
  • Fan's View: Simon Winnard, Brighton.

Once again the Albion were unable to hold onto a lead and instead of six points have ended up with two from the last two games.

Paul Watson treated the ball like a hot potato and Jones contributed very little. Good performances from several of the lads but still lacking a bit of quality.

Unfortunately, looking at the fixture list, it's hard to see where the next points are coming from.

Hopefully the return of Blackwell and Rodger will strengthen the team in the New Year