Albion met Millwall for the third time this season, and for the first time the seagulls were defeated by the London side as their recent resurgence, and Brighton's recent slump collided in an all too familiar match at Withdean.

This was yet another home disappointment for the Albion, who have now won just a measly four home matches out of fourteen, and leaves them languishing agonisingly close to the relegation zone.

It was poor match between two sides who looked short of quality and both in need of some investment during the current transfer window. It was befitting that the winning goal came from a defensive error - however we shouldn't belittle the finish. A sixty yard punt from the visitors' right fullback was misjudged by Joel Lynch and Darren Byfield ran through to lob over the advancing Henderson who was stranded by the poor positioning of the young central defender. However, as now seems customary, some fans found it right to blame our young international goalkeeper for not commanding his area and not coming off his line quickly enough. It is fair to say that Henderson somewhat spluttered out of goal but by the time he reached Byfield he was on the edge of his area and was cleverly lobbed by the Lions forward.

The goal was synonymous with those conceded in recent weeks, where poor defending and leadership has led to us conceding sloppy goals.

However, Albion could easily have been ahead by the break when two simple chances were wasted. Firstly following a free-kick into the visitors' area, Albion created panic and after Joe Gatting slid the ball square across the goalmouth - inexplicably really, considering he should have scored - Adam El-Abd somehow shot so wide of the goal a throw-in was awarded. It was a dire miss by El-Abd who was only 6-8 yards away from the gaping goal. The second opportunity scorned by the seagulls came when Dean Cox could only shoot into the side-netting from a mistake by the Lions' defender Danny Senda. When Senda trod on the ball Cox was quick to race in and gather the ball but he lacked composure as his shot sailed wide.

These were the two best opportunities of the first period and the Albion could count themselves unlucky to be behind, particularly as the visitors rarely threatened Henderson's goal. The second-half continued in a rather blasé fashion with the lack of a decent tempo to really threaten Millwall. With twenty minutes or so left, somewhat belatedly, Nathan Elder and Tommy Fraser came on to try and change the direction of the game. Elder's forceful running and aerial presence impressed and he got up well to head goalwards only for the 'keeper to clench it from the bottom corner.

Henderson made a very decent save from Byfield, to keep the game alive, and was again tested by a Ben May drive.

The Albion seemed to slide into this defeat, exhibiting low confidence and poor concentration. It also should be considered that some of our younger stars like Cox and Fraser are beginning to become fatigued quicker and our struggling to reach the high levels that they have set themselves by their previous performances. This game was yet another example of how pivotal Dean Hammond has become to the side in his box-to-box midfield role. Despite Carpenter having a solid game in midfield he cannot dominate the midfield with marauding runs like Deano. A mention must also go to Joe O'Cearill who had a composed game at right back and looked comfortable when running forward with the ball.

In my opinion if the Albion want to progress this season then their must be investment in the side in this transfer window. An experienced striker, Neil Shipperley for example, would not only help the team on the field but he could certainly aid Joe Gatting and help him become a better player. All thoughts of the play-offs should be annulled and the squad must re-focus on survival as if they are not careful then they will suffer a second successive defeat.

Player Ratings:

Henderson: 6: Decent saves and kicking, was partly at fault for the goal

Rents: 6: Composed if not influential is progressing steadily

Butters: 5: His lack of pace was shown and the defence were often quite deep

Lynch: 5: Covered well for Butters but was a fault for the goal.

O'Cearill: 6: Grew in stature and looks to be a strong and powerful defender.

Hart: 6: Strong in the tackle but didn't have a game to stick in the memory

El-Abd: 5: He played very deep and with Carpenter alongside him meant there
was little creativity.

Carpenter: 6: Spread the ball half-decently and was consistent throughout.

Cox: 6: Never really sparkled but did his grafting well and can also pull
something out of the hat.

Gatting: 5: Had a good first-half but as his fitness levels fell, so did his
application

Robinson: 8: MOM - Was lively when running at the back line and had several
decent shots. Was his best game for a while.

Subs:

Elder: 6: Good early impressions

Fraser: 6: Didn't vastly change the game

Frutos: 6: Lack of service coupled with lack of decent forward running.

Report by: Rhys Turrell