Ian Westlake is targeting the play-offs again after a surprise debut for Albion.

The on-loan Leeds midfielder was meant to be on the bench for Tuesday's 4-2 home victory against nine-man Gillingham but had to be drafted in on the left when Steven Thomson dropped out with a neck injury.

Westlake, booked in the first half and substituted late on as the Seagulls moved within three points and four places of the play-offs, said: "I had just met the lads but I seemed to slot straight in.

"A place in the play-offs would be nice. I've been in them twice with Ipswich but never won them. I am on loan from Leeds and they are obviously pushing for it as well but I am a Brighton player now so the play-offs here we come hopefully."

Albion cashed in when Gillingham defender Garry Richards was controversially sent off in the first half for a challenge on David Martot.

Westlake said: "I wasn't sure about it from the angle I looked at. I know it was from behind and it was a foul but a red card was maybe a bit harsh.

"I thought it would have been a yellow card and a talking-to but referees sometimes go a bit crazy about tackles from behind."

Gillingham also had Sean Clohessy sent off in the closing stages by referee Mike Thorpe for a second bookable offence as Albion stretched their unbeaten home run in League One to eight games.

Manager Dean Wilkins said: "The amount of chances we created again and amount of goals we scored is a massive positive. One negative was our ball retention in the second half when they were down to ten men and eventually nine. We could have kept it better."

Wilkins is confident Westlake will flourish once he settles in. He said: "Ian did fine. He needs time to get used to us and the idea was to put him on the bench but Thommo turned up with a very stiff neck which was getting progressively worse.

"He has got good energy and quality on the ball and we have got a good character as well."

How did you think Ian Westlake did on his debut?