The seagulls began their cup double bill with an enthralling penalty shoot-out victory over Millwall after Jake Robinson rescued the Albion with an 88th minute equaliser.
The game started brightly for the visitors, who were able to retain and use possession to their advantage. The Albion were far superior and looked much more concentrated and passionate than the home side. But, unfortunately for the seagulls, veteran defender Guy Butters was sent-off for a supposed professional foul after just 20 minutes.
It seemed that all of Brighton's hard-work would be wasted and inevitably the home side began to dominate proceedings and enjoyed long periods of possession but failed to seriously challenge the visitor's goal from open-play.
It was no great surprise when they scored, unfortunately just a few minutes from a much-needed half-time team talk. It was Jake's Millwall namesake Paul who opened the scoring with a scrappy swipe goalwards from a corner. Albion stopper Wayne Henderson felt he had been impended but his claims were rejected and his team-mates hardly protested with much vitriol.
It was a little disappointing to concede in such a fashion, as just minutes earlier the Lions had a similar effort only a stab off the line from Dean Cox preventing the Albion from dropping behind.
The Albion were glad of the half-time whistle and trudged off for some much needed re-organisation and a rest.
The visitors came out looking more resilient and played with a
more attacking purpose but of course had to be weary of being outnumbered in
defence due to having just 10 men. Their case looked even bleaker after a
nasty looking injury to Adam El-Abd. He was helped from the field and his
replacement, Charlton loanee, Alistair John, forced a tactical change from
the Albion with Andrew Whing moving to centre-half - presumably to curb his
attacking instinct - and John playing as a winger raiding down the right
side. However it was only when Robinson dropped into that position with two
minutes to that the seagulls broke down Millwall's rearguard. After an
excellent cross-field pass by the impressive Cox - now playing in the centre
of midfield following the reshuffle - Robinson took a great first touch and
charged menacingly towards the Millwall goal he evaded at least two tackles
before unleashing a forceful shot past Chris Day to send the healthy away
attendance, some 900 or so, into raptures.
With the absence of extra time, the Albion played out the final
seconds by the corner flag, knowing they had the physiological edge. And so
the penalties began, evoking memories of the last shoot-out the seagulls
were involved in, the infamous Play-off match with Swindon in 2004. The
first taker, Millwall's Darren Byfield, hopelessly dragged his shot
hopelessly wide of the left post much to the relief of Henderson who dived
in the opposite direction. Albion skipper and regular penalty taker Dean
Hammond was next and he coolly slotted in the right hand side of the goal.
The home side then equalled things up with a well taken strike and
unfortunately young Dean Cox couldn't restore the advantage as his strike
was blocked by Day. Another successful Millwall penalty put Robinson under
pressure but he brushed that to one side with a confident shot to the right
of the goal. Hendo then made a brilliant stop to deny Millwall taking the
lead but sub Joe Gatting couldn't capitalise, Day using his legs to block
after he had initially dived the wrong way. But to much derision from the
sporadic home crowd, defender Zak Whitbread blasted his spot-kick into the
upper tier of the home end, therefore providing stalwart Kerry Mayo to slot
home an assured penalty to progress the Albion to the area semi-finals.
Henderson: 7
Lynch: 6
Butters: 5
Hinshelwood: 6
Whing: 6
Cox: 7
El-Abd: 6
Hammond: 7
Fraser: 6
Robinson: 8 MoM
Revell: 6
Subs:
John: 6
Gatting: 6
Mayo: 7
RHYS TURRELLLabels: League One, Millwall, Rhys Turrell
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