No let-up in pursuit of title

BRIGHTON are showing no signs of easing up in their relentless quest for the npower League One title.

Gus Poyet’s side have won seven of their last eight matches — a worrying statistic from Athletic’s point of view given that the home side at Boundary Park on Saturday has has not tasted victory once during the same period.

Everything seems to be rosy in Albion’s garden at present. As well as their success on the field, there is talk of 14,000 season tickets already having been sold for next season, not to mention highly encouraging corporate sales at their new £95million Falmer Stadium.

When a club is experiencing rarefied highs away from the pitch, it can be reflected in its results — with the opposite possibly true for Athletic, who have been so frustrated by the lack of progress on their own new-ground front.

Glenn Murray has been at the forefront of Brighton’s assault this term.

The Cumbrian striker, who had spells on loan at Stockport County and Rochdale, has plundered 18 goals in 33 appearances and he has been grateful for a steady supply of assists from right-winger Elliott Bennett.

The ex-Wolves man has attracted attention from Championship side Norwich City, whose reported bid of £1million gives an indication as to his perceived quality.

It was another midfielder, Craig Noone, who had the starring role in Brighton’s last victory over Tranmere Rovers.

The winger, who scored at Boundary Park earlier this season for Plymouth Argyle, joined up with the Seagulls at the turn of the year for an undisclosed fee.

Poyet admitted Noone “changed the game” upon entering the fray at the Withdean Stadium by setting one goal and scoring the other.

This is the first week in four that Brighton have had no Tuesday evening game and Poyet has put on shorter, sharper training sessions in order for men like ever-present Marcus Painter to recuperate.

When the sides met on the South Coast in September, Athletic felt unfortunate to walk away having been beaten 2-1.

Poyet described the game afterwards as the most “difficult” up to that stage in the campaign.

Brighton had to come from behind after Lewis Alessandra’s goal on the half-hour — and did so through an Ashley Barnes strike and a winner from Fran Sandaza in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the game.