Ian Westlake is backing Albion to gather some Leeds-like momentum all the way to the top six.

The 23-year-old midfielder moved south from Elland Road on a month's loan this week and walked straight into a full debut when he arrived at Withdean on Tuesday.

Westlake started the 4-2 win over Gillingham which edged Albion closer to a play-off berth, subject to what might happen when Leeds apply to have their 15-point deduction reduced.

Having played in 11 of the 13 games in which Leeds went unbeaten at the start of the League One season, Westlake knows a bit about momentum.

They turned a few draws into wins during that sequence, not least when Westlake scored a 90th-minute winner at Oldham.

Now he hopes the Seagulls turn their unbeaten run of five home games into something even more substantial.

He admitted: "The atmosphere in the changing room when we started the season at Leeds was amazing.

"You've got a good atmosphere here too. That goes a long way towards anything that happens on the pitch.

"I could tell that just from meeting the boys on Tuesday.

"We play good stuff and the main thing is the pitch is really nice here compared to some of the grounds.

"Home form is important. Win your home games.

"You've got your crowd, it's your stadium. If you win the home ones, the away ones follow."

Westlake was due for a place on the bench against the Gills until Steven Thomson pulled out on Tuesday afternoon with a neck problem.

Can Ian Westlake make a difference to Albion's play-off push?