Back to the football and the water theme, Albion's defence was leaky! It leaked goals, four to be exact. Scunthorpe came to Withdean and probably enjoyed the experience. They looked good, played well and, aided by the rain, definitely dampened our spirits. Unbeaten no more, I'm afraid. It was the first defeat for the Seagulls in seven games. This doesn't sound bad but it was a comprehensive defeat, plus we have only picked up two points in three home games.

The Albion did not play well. They tried hard but that wasn't always apparent. Adam Virgo, our injured Roy-of-the-Rovers midfielder, was sorely missed. But we were lacking more than Adam. We needed a good start but even before the all-weather gear and blue and white plastic ponchos were donned, United had a tap-in to score after a mere three minutes.

The game was poor entertainment. To be fair the conditions were atrocious with a strong and gusty wind. Long balls couldn't be accurate – but were still tried regularly. Keeper Michel Kuipers, kicking with the wind in the first-half, was too long, often going keeper to keeper. Unfortunately Brighton's passing game wasn't troubling a thoroughly competent Scunthorpe defence. The 45 minutes were up as we missed a chance to equalise.

We were ready for the half-time chips and hot cup of tea. Disaster as ref Mr Crossley allowed play to continue. His yellow flagged assistant failed to spot that United's Gary Hooper was offside as he ran onto a ball down the right. We helpfully shouted "offside" but Hooper continued to the by-line. Three of our defenders were bamboozled, claiming the ball went out of play (correctly as replays showed) as the visitors' striker cut back inside to fire past the helpless Kuipers.

Two-nil down at the break left the 5,600 crowd damp in body and spirit. Manager Micky Adams didn't come up with an answer or substitutions and the game was over 10 minutes after the restart when Hooper scored his second with a fine blast past Kuipers.

Brighton were three down by the time Jake Robinson came on. He did at least test the United defence and might have scored but for a double save by Joe Murphy. Brighton did at last look dangerous going forward. We thought Glenn Murray had scored with a flick but watched as it somehow went wide of the far post.

Our misery was completed after a mistake by Colin Hawkins allowed Hooper to notch-up his hat-trick. Robinson's headed goal from a Dean Cox cross was too little too late.

Post match, Adams was refreshingly honest but upbeat. "We've been beaten by a very good team…we were out-muscled by a bigger and stronger unit…we'll pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and get on with it". As Micky then said ...it's a long season. The transfer window for loan signings is now open and Adams says he may look to strengthen the squad. We all hope it was a one-off bad day at Withdean and that Scunthorpe prove to be Championship contenders.

Meanwhile, Martin Perry reports good news on the stadium front. Tenders have been received and the contractors to do the work narrowed down to two. Both are very experienced in stadium building in this country and intensive negotiations are ongoing to decide finally who will build.

Widening of Village Way is due to start in December. Roll on in the big diggers – exciting times! We are, of course, still on track to win three cups. In the second round of the JPT, at the beginning of October, the Seagulls are home to Leyton Orient. We look forward to beating them having only drawn in the league a month ago.

The big one is Albion's Carling Cup clash with "the richest club in the world" Man City – or Manchester Dhabi as they are now known. It will be interesting to see if City fans do fill their Withdean allocation wearing Arab headgear!