Albion prospect Joel Lynch is savouring a fairytale comeback from injury.

The young substitute nodded his first goal for nearly two years as Albion came from behind to beat Cheltenham 2-1 at Withdean.

Lynch was thrown on for the second half in place of Guy Butters after six weeks on the sidelines with hamstring trouble.

He celebrated by heading the Seagulls' 87th minute winner from a corner - his first goal since scoring at Ipswich in April 2006.

Lynch said: "That was just a tap-in as well with my right foot but they all count. I've been out injured for quite a while and I've had a bad season.

"I haven't been happy with the way I have been playing and I didn't think I was especially good when I came on but to get that goal was really special and to get the victory was even better."

Lynch also set up Glenn Murray's 79th-minute equaliser, which cancelled out Steve Brooker's third minute opener for Cheltenham, although he admitted: "It was just a boot up the pitch really to get the ball into the right area. Glenn got on to it and finished it well."

Lynch's matchwinning contribution followed a nervy start. He nearly gifted Cheltenham a second goal with a header straight to the feet of Steven Gillespie.

He said: "We had a few laughs in the changing room about that. I don't know what I was doing. I was a bit shaky, because I have not played for a long time, but luckily I got out of it with the assist and the goal."

Lynch comes back to earth quickly with a run-out in the reserves at Queens Park Rangers tonight in his quest for full match fitness.

What role should Joel Lynch play against Oldham on Saturday?.