Mark McGhee might lose one of his Albion claims to fame today.

Seagulls supporters will certainly be hoping so.

By the time he walks out to manage Eastbourne Borough in Vanarama National League south, they would love him to no longer be their club’s last boss to enjoy a win at Selhurst Park.

McGhee was the man in the dugout the night Paul McShane headed the only goal of a hectic Championship battle in October 2005.

Claim to fame? That is probably a bit strong. McGhee certainly does not go around telling people about that night.

But he still remembers it. Not so much as a derby win but as one of a few against-the-odds results picked up in the Withdean days.

Anyway, forget the last Selhurst win. He will have a first on his mind today – his first win in charge of Borough after agreeing to step in until the end of the season.

Borough host Chelmsford buoyed by a 0-0 draw at Hampton and Richmond Borough last week and McGhee’s focus is on leaving them in great shape for whoever comes in during the close season.

McGhee, appointed a little more than a fortnight ago, said: “This has actually felt like my first week in here.

“The first game (a 3-0 defeat to Wealdstone) was a bit of a shambles, having the keeper sent off and losing players to injury and having so many missing.

“I was really just starting the following week.

“Last Saturday was very good in terms of progress. Certainly we looked very solid. We never looked like conceding and we could have won. I don’t say we should have won – but we could have.

“I’ve no complaints about how the boys have applied themselves.

“Training numbers are up. We had 20 on Thursday and that hasn’t happened for some time.

“I think when a new manager comes in, you try to give things a lift and I’m pleased with the response.”

McGhee has added his former Albion midfielder Charlie Oatway, a member of that 2005-06 team at Palace, to the coaching set-up.

Oatway had previously assisted globetrotting Gus Poyet in Spain, Greece, France and China as well as Albion and Sunderland.

McGhee said: “He has been around the world and I am sure he has learned a bit. I don’t know what but he has learned a bit. We’ll find out.

“I know Charlie and we get on well and he was in the same situation as me, sitting about waiting for someone to get a job and call him.

The Argus:

“After a few sessions he is getting used to the boys. We travel in together, we talk, reminisce a bit.”

A bit like back in the Withdean days, the pair seek bargains.

Along with assistant Danny Bloor, McGhee checked on ambitious Australian striker Josh Bingham recently when he was playing for Wimbledon reserves.

Bingham, 24, played for Central Coast Mariners, which is Mathew Ryan’s old club, before trying his luck in this country.

McGhee said: “He’s not a kid. He has come here to make his way here. Wally Downes at Wimbledon recommended him to us. Wally is very interested in seeing how he does here.

“He has been training for a month there and is in good physical shape. He is 6ft 1in, wiry and hard-working.

“I can put him up front with Stefan Ljubicic (on loan from Albion under-23s).

“Stefan won every ball in the air last week and, if I team them up, we will have a pair of strikers who can work well for each other.

“Josh has come over here hungry to succeed and he knows if he does well he will get a chance at Wimbledon next year.”

McGhee has a wealth of experience and says there are a couple of possibilities which could take him back into the pro game.

That is the aim, though not necessarily with Gordon Strachan, his former colleague in charge of the Scotland national team.

His appointment at Priory Lane made headlines, not least north of the border.

But he is not aiming to bring extra publicity to Borough, who are still looking to secure their sixth-tier safety for another season.

He said: “I’m almost the opposite. I’m trying to keep a low profile.

“One of the things I am conscious of is not being a negative for Eastbourne.

“People come here and see an experienced manager and it might be a motivation for them. In a sense, I’m playing it calm.”

He does have a reputation, though. And it is one that includes that night at Selhurst Park.

“I remember at the time I had come from Millwall and was used to going to Palace and what it would be like.

“I knew going there how it was to the supporters at the time and has remained so since.

“But one of the big things I remember from those days is going to places like that with Brighton a few times and getting results.”

It was the sort of occasion he started to miss at home in Brighton and Hove.

Hence the willingness to step in as caretaker boss when Borough, seeing the play-offs disappear into the distance, sacked Jamie Howell.

McGhee, who is still missing Sergio Torres and Charlie Walker to injury, is enjoying it so far.

He said: “This is keeping me busy. I was starting to rip my hair out just sitting at home.

“I’m back out on the training field and back out there working.

“I want to win football matches. We’ve lost one, drawn one. Now it’s time to win a game.”