Seagulls Scene: The woes of Withdean?

Forget the trauma we are put through by the inability to defend a one goal lead! Think of the exposure to the elements, the lack of atmosphere in the open air, the poor away fans out in limbo, and the refreshment facilities in an open car park.

But good supporters brave all this and still turn up. The ongoing question currently is - are we pushing for the play-offs, or slipping into mid-table mediocrity?

I'm sorry to report the Huddersfield game was not the greatest. Exciting moments could be counted on thefingers '“ of one hand!

The highlight was Tommy Elphick's first goal for the Albion. The young central defender is one for the future but happily he is performing very well now. He rose to majestically head home a corner in the 74th minute. 1-0 to the Albion.

Seventy minutes earlier it was Tommy who came agonisingly close to putting Brighton ahead. The Seagulls had a bright, attacking start but, following a scramble in the Huddersfield goalmouth, there was no early goal.

There were shots from Nicky Forster, one well saved by Matt Glennon in the Town goal when the Albion striker was clean through. It wasn't all one-way. Michel Kuipers had to deal with a couple of strong Huddersfield shots. He kept everything out '“ until the Town's equaliser on 77 minutes.

When Brighton went ahead, the pessimists, me included, said it was far too early to score because we couldn't defend a one goal lead for 15 minutes. Sadly, how true this turned out to be.

We were ahead for just three minutes when Robbie Williams said 'take that', scoring with a tremendous free-kick from outside the box. one-all was how it finished.

Referee Mr R East was arguably the star performer. His vision must have been perfect (despite a young lad near me continually suggesting he needed glasses and making reference to his follicley-challenged pate) as Mr East saw things that nobody else could.

Some of his 'fouls' were greeted by amazed bafflement. One of the biggest cheers of the day came when he finally awarded Brighton a free-kick!

Nobody knew why he gave Huddersfield the free-kick that led to the equaliser '“ but it was a marvellous strike. Town's manager, Andy Ritchie, will claim they were worth the draw. Certainly it was two points lost by the Seagulls. Ritchie seems to have been around for ages. It was back in the early 1980s, when Brighton were in the top flight, that he was scoring for us.

Mr East saved his best to last. Perhaps he thought a dramatic end was necessary for this disappointing game? Gary Hart was introduced by Dean Wilkins with just four minutes left. Not a lot of time to make an impression. But our Gary left his mark on Huddersfield's Chris Brandon in the final action of the game with an over enthusiastic tackle.

I think it was handbags stuff really as they squared up, but Mr East blew his whistle for the last time and waved his red card. In fact he waved it twice. As everybody trooped off to the dressing rooms, Hart's and Brandon's departure was under the shadow of red.

Hart should have known better. He was back in the first team squad but now faces a three-match ban. I don't think we will see him again in what is his benefit year.

There could have been another sending off. Into the second-half little Dean Cox jumped into a tackle. Luckily for Dean he didn't make full contact with the Town player and the referee only gave him a yellow card. Manager Dean Wilkins has still to eliminate silly dangerous fouls by his players.

Chairman Dick Knight had come in for criticism from some fans for not strengthening the squad. He responded with the news of five possible newcomers. He has largely silenced the critics with the signings of Shane McFaul and Steve Thomson. In addition he has brought back to Withdean Matt Richards from Ipswich. Knight says he intends further squad strengthening before the end of the month. He also reports that he is going the extra mile to keep Dean Hammond at the club.

Steve Thomson, from Falkirk, made his debut in midfield alongside Paul Reid and David Martot. He made a sound start and will need time to play himself into this Brighton team. His distribution was good and he didn't waste any balls. Hopefully his pairing with captain Hammond when he returns from suspension will provide the midfield with what we have been looking for.

People ask me what is happening on the Falmer stadium front. Dick Knight says in the match day programme that good progress is being made, we are on schedule and plan to be on site before the end of the year. I've asked chief executive and stadium project manager Martin Perry if he can tell me more.

I should be able to report further news next week as we don't have a game until Northampton away on Tuesday, January 29.