GILLINGHAM manager Andy Hessenthaler believes Brighton and Hove Albion will be guided to promotion by his old boss Peter Taylor who has accepted a three-year deal with the Division 2 club.

Taylor won the Gills promotion to Division One during the 1999\2000 season and with the Seagulls currently third in Division Two he will be hoping for another promotion-winning campaign.

Hessenthaler, who was assistant to Taylor before taking charge of first-team affairs, said: "He's a fantastic manager and I did not think it would be very long before he was back. It was very difficult for him to take over at Leicester after the success of Martin O'Neill, but it's a fantastic appointment for Brighton."

Taylor, who was sacked by Leicester City on October 1 after the Foxes had picked up just five points from a possible 24, takes over from Micky Adams. The move completes a managerial merry-go-round with Adams going to Leicester to be Dave Bassett's assistant.

Taylor said: "I am pleased to be getting back into management quickly and am absolutely delighted it's with Brighton, a club with great potential because of its tremendous following."

Taylor has also received the backing of Albion players who believe he will make a success of his time at the Withdean Stadium. Top scorer Bobby Zamora voiced his support for his new boss: "He has proven his ability and has got an obvious wealth of experience that can rub off on the rest of us. It's up to us now but hopefully he can take us further."