Albion manager Micky Adams threw caution to the wind at Withdean last night with his new-look team, including five of his six January signings.

He played with three recognised strikers which in effect became four when his side were on the front foot.

Craig Davies partnered Calvin Andrew, with Nicky Forster in an unfamiliar role on the right and Seb Carole on the left.

The result? Debut goals for Davies and Jim McNulty, a cracking game but ultimately defeat against one of the most attractive sides in the division.

Peterborough got their bid for automatic promotion for the second season running back on track after successive away defeats.

The Seagulls remain in relegation trouble but there were plenty of positives to take out of an absorbing encounter.

They were undone in the end by their failure to cope with the outstanding George Boyd and Posh’s prolific front pairing, Aaron McLean and Craig Mackail-Smith.

Adams made three changes in total to the team which recorded a long awaited home victory against Hartlepool in their previous outing 11 days ago.

Davies, McNulty and Carole came in for Dean Cox, David Livermore and Chris Birchall, who is on World Cup qualifying duty with Trinidad and Tobago.

Andrew Whing is available again after suspension but a hamstring injury kept him out of the squad.

Peterborough gave a debut to young centre half James Chester, borrowed by manager Darren Ferguson from his father, Sir Alex, at Manchester United.

Ferguson junior also opted for the attacking intent of Shaun Batt at the expense of Chris Whelpdale.

With so many forward-thinking players in both teams, the opening quarter of the contest was surprisingly bereft of goalmouth incident but it was merely the calm before the storm.

Most of the invention for Albion was provided by Carole, whose trickery took him away from three defenders in the 12th minute before feeding Davies for a low drive from the edge of the area which was comfortably held by keeper Joe Lewis.

It was a different story in the 26th minute, although the same three characters were involved.

Carole’s low shot should have been easy for Lewis but the highly-rated 21-year-old, who was on the bench for two England friendlies last summer, spilled it.

Davies, like all good goalscorers, was on to the rebound in a flash to announce his arrival by giving Albion the lead.

Just as well then that Davies put new club before country, having withdrawn from the Wales squad for this evening’s friendly against Poland in Portugal.

Unfortunately for the Seagulls, falling behind stung the visitors into action.

They were level 12 minutes later when a left-wing cross by Scotland under-21 midfielder Paul Coutts was headed in by Mackail-Smith, his 20th of the season.

Little had been seen of Mackail-Smith up to that point or his prolific partner, McLean, but McLean had his say as Peterborough struck again in the 42nd minute.

The former Grays striker, a transfer target for Albion a few seasons ago, was on hand to tuck away the rebound after John Sullivan had been at full stretch to parry a shot from Boyd.

Fortunes fluctuated once more by the interval, with the Seagulls responding spiritedly to their sudden deficit.

Andrew drove narrowly over the upright from 15 yards and McNulty joined the attack to have a low shot deflected just off target.

He stayed up for Carole’s resulting corner in first-half stoppage time, which was just as well. The Frenchman’s delivery cleared the heads of a couple of Peterborough defenders for McNulty to sweep in on the half volley.

Often, after such a flurry of activity, what follows is an anti-climax and yet the adventurous pattern was maintained in the second half.

Albion, as they continued to press, were vulnerable to Peterborough’s lightning breaks. The impressive Boyd, locks flowing, was inches wide from 25 yards before earning a penalty in the 64th minute.

Adam Virgo appeared to catch him as he cut inside at the end of another swift counter-attack although replays of the incident in the dressing room afterwards apparently indicated otherwise.

Dean Keates sent Sullivan the wrong way from the resulting spot-kick.

Albion’s resolve was finally broken and they fell further behind in the 76th minute. Mackail-Smith got away from Adam Hinshelwood to hit an angled shot which Sullivan got a hand to but could not prevent rolling towards the net. McLean made sure just before the ball crossed the line for his 13th of the season.

It was an unlucky 13 for the Seagulls. They certainly played their part in the entertainment but the tiring Carole’s waning influencewas an indication that Peterborough were worthy winners.

It was a shame that only just over 5,000 – the lowest League crowd of the season – witnessed the goal feast, the attendance affected by the option for spectators to claim refunds after last Tuesday’s original postponement.

Albion (4-2-4): Sullivan; Virgo, Elphick, Hinshelwood, McNulty; Jarrett, El-Abd; Forster, Andrew, Davies, Carole. Subs: Cox for Carole (withdrawn, 77), Fraser for Elphick (withdrawn, 85), McLeod for Andrew (withdrawn, 88), Livermore, Kuipers.

Scorers: Davies (26), McNulty (45).

Yellow Cards: Virgo (74, foul), Jarrett (88, foul).

Peterborough (4-2-4): Lewis; Martin, Chester, Zakuani, Lee; Coutts, Keates; Mackail-Smith, McLean, Boyd, Batt. Subs: Frecklington, Whelpdale, Green, Wright, Blanchett.

Scorers: Mackail-Smith (38), McLean (42 and 76), Keates (64, penalty).

Yellow Card: Lee (10, foul).

What did you think of new boys Craig Davies and Jim McNulty? Let us know.