Striker Lloyd Owusu insists Albion can score the goals required for safety, despite losing their top two marksmen.

But the on-loan target man reckons defensive security will be just as crucial if the Seagulls are to make up a seven-point deficit in their last eight games.

Owusu and sidekick Craig Davies will carry much of the goalgetting burden at MK Dons on Saturday after Albion lost Nicky Forster and Glenn Murray to injury.

There is no word yet on when the highly-regarded duo, with 27 goals between them, are expected to return.

Owusu, who has scored once since arriving from Cheltenham, said: “We’ve lost two quality strikers and it’s a setback.

“But it gives a chance for people like myself and Craig Davies and anyone else who comes under consideration.

“I was brought in to score as many goals as I can, that’s still my aim.

“We’ve got players who can produce something out of nothing like Dean Cox and Seb Carole.

“If we make sure we get a good solid base and keep clean sheets we have a chance.”

He added: “Ideally you want to get a good relationship going with one strike partner.

“I’ve played up front with Craig Davies, then I thought I would have a few games with Fozzy, then Glenn came in.

“If it’s to be me and Craig we’ve got eight games to get as many goals as we can and I believe we can keep Brighton up.”

Yeovil are the latest side to make a break for safety.

Since crashing 5-0 at Withdean, they have kept three clean sheets and taken seven points from nine, including Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat of rivals Northampton thanks to on-loan Jon Obika’s second goal in two games.

By contrast, Albion have managed just one point from nine, against Tranmere, and not scored since they trounced the Glovers.

Owusu admitted: “Our aim was to win all our remaining home games.

“We were a bit unlucky against Tranmere. We put a lot of pressure on and couldn’t break them down.

“Yeovil are nine points away from us now.

“We battered them but they have had three clean sheets since then and we need to aim to do that. We know we can create.”

MK Dons have won ten of their 20 home games but only one of their last five, although Owusu has bad memories of being sent-off there in defeat with Cheltenham this season.

He was red-carded late on, some time after home keeper Willy Gueret had been dismissed for flattening ex-Albion loanee Stuart Fleetwood.

Owusu said: “I gave away a penalty but I shouldn’t have got booked for what I did.

“I was on a tightrope after that later on I was bit frustrated and misjudged a tackle on Lewington.

“That was my second yellow.

“They are up there for a reason. They are solid in defence and have playiers like Jason Puncheon and Sam Baldock doing really well. We have got to be on our guard.”