Glenn Murray had a satisfying sense of deja vu as he reflected on promotion for Albion.

The marksman whose goals have done so much to take them up has been reminded of his first spell at the club by the flurry of victories which have secured a third tilt at the Premier League.

Murray's opening goal against Wigan at the Amex on Monday was his fourth deadlock-breaker in the five April wins on the spin which have catapulted the Seagulls back to the top flight after a 34-year absence.

Back in 2010-11, Albion won eight in a row in March, Murray scoring in four of them, to seal a return to the Championship.

He admits the current state of supremacy felt implausible when nearest pursuers Newcastle snatched the points late-on at the Amex last month to complete a double over the Seagulls.

"No, I didn't especially after Newcastle took six points off us," Murray admitted. "I couldn't, especially after they came down here and won.

"But we've kept our heads. I think the week coming back after the international break, the two games at home (Blackburn and Birmingham), and then the QPR game was huge for us.

"More than anything, that instilled belief in the group that we could actually do this.

"Last time, when we were promoted out of League One, we had a similar March, culminating in Dagenham away. It's very reminiscent of that for me."

The finishing prowess of Murray, 33 (below), has not diminished in the interim. The low drive strick from just inside the box against Wigan was his 22nd goal of the season, the tally he achieved in League One six seasons ago.

The Argus: He joked: "That is quite long range for me, isn't it! We'd prodded at them and passed the ball around them and been quite patient.

"We changed our tactics, went long for once, and Tomer (Hemed) played me in. Luckily I got it on target and broke the deadlock."

Luck really had nothing to do with Murray's 19th goal at the Amex, where he has settled in so well since his return from Bournemouth. He is now just one short of emulating Bill Curry's club record at Championship level of 23 goals in 1959-60.

The mass celebration among the players was visual evidence of the strong sense of unity Murray walked into last summer.

"I wouldn't say I've experienced anything as tight as this," he told The Argus. "At all clubs that are going for titles and are successful and winning, it's easy to become like that, but it's credit to the boys after what happened last year, to get back on the horse and go again. They've showed great character.

"It's a nice feeling to be there. We'll obviously enjoy the moment but that isn't us finished as a group this season.

"We'll try to push on and get as many points as we can and dream of winning the league."

Cardiff, with the assistance of Murray's former Albion team-mate Craig Noone (below top), went on to do just that following several near misses in the play-offs, only to come straight back down.

The Argus: Murray, who has experienced the Premier League with Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, believes Albion can survive and ultimately thrive.

"It goes without saying it's a definite step up in standard," he said. "I think more than anything you get punished more. We've got to give less opportunities away than in the Championship but we'll learn and quick.

"I'm sure the gaffer will have us well drilled. There are other lads in the squad that have been in the Premier League, like Steve Sidwell, and I'm sure we'll add in the summer which will bolster us.

"It can be done definitely but for the first one, two, three years it's all about staying in the division. That is your one and only objective and if you do that then you can build on that."

Can Murray add healthily to his 11 Premier League goals, including a double for Palace to beat West Ham when their home was Upton Park and a winner for Bournemouth against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "If I get the right service. We'll see, won't we?"

The service he has provided Albion so far, in both spells, has been exceptional.