Did Brighton and Hove Albion’s youngsters under-estimate Three Bridges in Sussex Senior Cup final?

Bridges took the lead through Reece Hallard, but Seagulls captain Zane Albarus equalised seven minutes later.

Finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, it went to a penalty shootout and following nine perfect spot-kicks, Bridges’ keeper Sam Roberts heroically denied Joe Belmont to earn his side a first Senior Cup win in their 125-year-history.

For Brighton, it was a fourth straight season without success in the competition but only their second defeat in 16 Senior Cup finals, and their boss suggested the deciding factor on the pitch may have been mentality related.

Ruth told us: “I think that anybody can beat anybody. You look at the Premier League at the weekend – results aren’t surprising anymore when a mid-table team can beat first, second place.

“I think the margins are so small between opponents now. I think everybody has access to good tactical resources, teams are well set up.

“And I think for our young players today, there’ll be a part of them that may have underestimated the opponent a little bit. So, the lesson really for the players in there is never underestimate anyone.

“Respect everybody, and if you’re going to win any game of football, you have to be at maximum. And today, we weren’t quite at maximum.”

And on the match itself, he added: “I thought we maybe could have won it towards the end, but the game was pretty tight.

“Fair play to Three Bridges. I thought they did a really good job. You can tell that they’ve had a good season and for good reason.

“For some of those players today, that’s the first time they’ve played at the Amex.”

Ruth also confirmed the presence of some of Albion’s senior figures at the match, including club-record signing Georginio Rutter, while defender Olivier Boscagli was also spotted supporting the youngsters on Wednesday night.

The under-21s are back in action at the Amex this Saturday when they welcome Manchester United in the Premier League 2 play-off final.