Uncharted territory for the Albion

The two clubs might, actually, have met only 18 times in the League over that period but a point was certainly the very least Seagulls deserved.

Being in a fortunate position of not having to pay to get in, I thought this was one of those games that I would have paid to see.

End-to-end stuff, plenty of goalmouth action and the sort of game that, had it been played at the Withdean stadium, might actually have got the much-maligned atmosphere going.

Another potentially eventful road trip to Blackpool this weekend is followed by back-to-back home games against Huddersfield and Scunthorpe '” games at which the atmosphere at the Albion's stadium will again come under the spotlight.

Why is there little atmosphere at the Withdean?

Just sitting here at my keyboard, I can think of at least half a dozen games, if not more, since 1999, when the atmosphere was vibrant.

So, if fans can turn it on for those games, why not the others?

Young fans play a big part; they make a lot of noise, even more so if you issue them with the obligatory air horns.

But, ultimately, everyone can play their part by getting behind the team. Talk of the geography of the Withdean stands, and the acoustics, are all, to my mind, excuses.

Wherever people sit in the ground, they should shout for the Albion. Providing it's both legal and in good taste, then whatever they sing and shout, the stewards should leave the fans to get on with the job of supporting the Albion.

I see that Sussex County Football League supremo Peter Bentley is lamenting the amount of postponements over the course of this winter and wondering when the season will actually end.

Join the club, Mr B '” it's the same for all age groups from Under-8 upwards. And, unlike the County League, most of the youth sides don't have access to floodlights.

Teams are almost running out of time. I speak from one that has at least six games left, four of them at home.

But as it's a school pitch, the posts are due to be taken down at the beginning of the Easter Holidays, which is three weeks on Friday.

I'm certainly not alone; my Under-11 managerial colleague at Worthing United has 11 matches to fit in between now and the end of the season.

Will councils will be able to delay the move to cricket usage of enough of their football pitches to enable the fixture programme to be completed?

Returning to my theme of last week and the amount of youngsters we have playing competitive football, perhaps now is the time that both county and borough councils get involved and sort out pitch extensions in various areas?

Exciting news for Worthing High.

The South Farm Road-based senior school has been selected to be a local cricketing school of excellence.

A 10,000 grant from the National Lottery will see a new all weather wicket built, as well as new indoor and outdoor nets.

The school will also work closely with local clubs, Worthing and Findon, in developing young players '” which will, hopefully, secure a long-term future for the sport in the town.

It's almost getting to that time of the year, again, so I'd like to hear from all our local runners, via e-mail, taking part in the London Marathon, with details of the worthy causes they are raising money for.

Listen to the Fans' Phone-In With Harty on BBC Southern Counties Radio after every Albion match '” call him on 0845 9570057