By Tim Dudding, at Withdean

Albion can look forward to League One football again next season after a 1-0 victory against Stockport on a nailbiting final day of the season.

In the end, a point would have been enough for Russell Slade's men after Northampton lost 3-0 at Leeds, but Nicky Forster's second half goal put the Seagulls firmly in charge and assuaged any fears of relegation.

With so much at stake it was no surprise that this was an edgy affair, and the news that Carlisle had taken an early lead against Millwall only increased Albion's anxiety.

Gary Hart then limped out of the action after lasting just 18 minutes, and there were early signs this might not be Albion's day after all.

Stockport, too, hadn't come to just roll over, and Michel Kuipers had to show great reactions to get down low and block Oli Johnson's snapshot from just inside the area.

In fact, Albion spent most of the first period in the relegation zone, but just as news filtered through that Northampton had gone a goal down at Leeds, and were therefore now occupying the fourth relegation spot, Albion had their first real chance.

Owusu back heeled for Cox to run on to in the area, and after a neat piece of skill to control the ball, saw his shot saved by Conrad Logan and loop into the air. Andrew arrived at full pelt and bravely threw himself at the rebound but headed against the top of the crossbar, injuring his knee in the process.

Andrew would play no further part, but his replacement Forster - returning from a knee injury, came close just after the interval with a glancing header.

At Elland Road Nothampton fell further behind, but Albion still needed a result here to make sure, and in the 74th minute they got the vital goal. Albion's on-loan Stockport midfielder Gary Dicker saw his shot parried by Logan, and Forster followed up to put in the rebound from close range.

Albion's survival was almost assured; Northampton went three goals down, the Seagulls saw out the rest of the game and Slade had done what he had set out to do 13 games ago - pulled off the great escape.

Albion: (4-4-2) Kuipers; Whing, Virgo, Elphick, Borrowdale; Loft, Dicker, Cox (McLeod 73), Fraser; Hart (Andrew 18, Forster 46)), Owusu. Subs not used: Hinshelwood, Davies.

Stockport: (4-4-2) Logan; Halls, J Thompson, Raynes, Rose (Tansey 84); T Rowe, Vincent, Turnbull, Mainwaring; O'Grady (P Thompson), Johnson. Subs not used: Pilkington, Ennis, Roberts.

Attendance: 8618 (794 Stockport).

Referee: Kevin Wright.

Yellow Cards: Owusu, McLeod (Albion); Turnbull, O'Grady, Johnson (Stockport).

Withdean Wager: 1st 1694 (£700), 2nd 1711 (ball).