Seagulls Scene: Poorly Albion crash out of Trophy

The Seagulls put in a decent performance, especially in difficult circumstances, but the bottom line is they lost in what was the Southern Area semi-final of this least important of the three cup competitions.

Gone for this season at least is the chance of our day out at the New Wembley. After seeing the recent debacle against Croatia there I'm not too disappointed about the no early return. But it is much needed money down the drain and fans will be disappointed. Brighton miss out playing MK Dons in the southern final and either Grimsby or Morecombe in a Wembley final. One year, hopefully soon, we will win this JPT!

I mentioned it was a handicapped Seagulls side that Dean Wilkins put out. Andrew Whing and Paul Reid were suffering from the dreaded noro-virus '“ nasty! Captain Dean Hammond still has a knee problem and Guy Butters a calf injury. Jake Robinson is looking at six weeks out with a broken metatarsal. It may be the fashionable injury but it is painful and a great nuisance! Four of the squad, including Adam El-Abd, Tommy Fraser and Joel Lynch, were allowed to travel after recovering from the virus.

With his squad down to the bare bones, Wilkins recalled Gary Hart early from Havant & Waterlooville and Kerry Mayo. They went on the bench. Young Wes Fogden came in for his debut at right-back and Doug Loft had his first start of the season. Frenchman David Martot, who is now with Brighton for the rest of the season, came into the midfield.

Swansea scored the only goal as early as the ninth minute when Daryl Duffy headed home a right wing cross.

Brighton, however, did have chances, especially in the second-half. Swans goalkeeper Mark de Vries had to make a brilliant block to deny Alex Revell, and he stopped Dean Cox when through on goal.

Although it was a much weakened Seagull side, literally, as it happens, it was a better team performance than against Mansfield in the FA Cup exit. The manager praised the brave performance especially as several really were not 100 per cent fit.

We have reached the pivotal point of the season. Out of the cups, going backwards in the league, and with difficult games to come. Last season we continued the worrying spiral down. This season we need to push for the play-offs.

Before the game Chairman Dick Knight, in answering concerns, announced that he hoped to bring in new players to the club during the January window. This has Seagull fans contemplating who the "Famous Five" might be! I don't think we should be holding our breath as everybody knows there's many a slip, we have limited money, and things can so easily go wrong with transfers! Watch this space?