A Jim Magilton goal 12 minutes from time gave the Blues a point after Bobby Zamora had put Brighton ahead during a dismal first half for Town. That display was as bad as for some time, while there was a notable improvement in the second period.

Town lined-up as against Rotherham but with Alun Armstrong joining Darren Bent up front as seems to be usual away from home, and Jermaine Wright coming into the midfield, Jamie Clapham going to left wing-back with Hermann Hreidarsson into the back three.

Within five minutes of the game's start Brighton had hit the post. Brooker made a run down the middle and played a ball to Zamora on the left who hit a shot off Gerrard's left post.

That had been Brighton's first attack with Town having had all the possession up to then. On nine Darren Ambrose replaced John McGreal who had injured his knee in a 50/50 challenge. Ambrose went into the midfield while Matt Holland took over from McGreal at the back.

The game rarely entered either penalty area but in the 16th minute Nathan Jones hit a shot which Gerrard saved down to his right.

Town's first chance of the game came in the 21st minute as an Alun Armstrong ball played in Darren Ambrose on the right. The youngster managed a shot but the angle was too acute and keeper Kuipers scrambled it around the post.

Town were having the greater of the play but with no chances other than Ambrose's created. With too many men pushed forward getting caught on the break looked a big danger and one which Brighton exploited just before the break.

Jim Magilton and Darren Bent between them lost possession on the edge of the Brighton box after innumerable Town passes had failed to carve an opening. The home side took a more direct approach, hitting a long ball forward to Bobby Zamora who had been left unmarked on halfway.

The pacy striker took the ball forward with Thomas Gaardsøe hastily trying to get back into position, but before he could do so Zamora hit a 20-yard shot beyond Gerrard and into the net.

This hardly improved the frustrated mood of the 700 travelling supporters and once more Town were roundly booed as they made their way off the field.

The break saw Richard Naylor take over from Alun Armstrong up front. The game continued much as before with Brighton putting ten men behind the ball whenever Town had possession and the Blues failing to conjure any real chances.

A rare early Brighton break saw Steve Sidwell head just wide, although it did appear that Hreidarsson had been held by Zamora.

With the Blues making little headway in front of goal, Joe Royle decided to make his final substitution with only seven minutes of the second period gone. On came Pablo Couñago and off Darren Bent.

There were cheers amongst the Town supporters just before the hour when Richard Naylor hit a rare shot, which went just wide. A minute later his header made Kuipers earn his corn.

The Blues were starting to look a more dangerous proposition and Couñago hit a 25-yarder on 61 which went just wide before he looped a header into Kuipers' arms.

The Seagulls were still a danger on the break and on 70 Hreidarsson did well to cut out Sidwell's ball across the box with Zamora unmarked just beyond him.

Darren Ambrose's deadball ability almost saw him onto the scoresheet in the 73rd minute, his curled 25-yard shot forcing Kuipers into a save. Hermann Hreidarsson got onto the ball as it came back out but his shot was deflected wide.

The Blues were stretched at the back again on 74th minute but Paul Brooker failed to get on the end of a Zamora cross.

However, the half had been almost exclusively played in the Brighton half of the field and with 12 minutes left on the clock Town got the goal their possession deserved. Darren Ambrose brought the ball down the left before passing inside to Jim Magilton. The Northern Irishman hit a low shot from the edge of the area which arrowed inside Kuipers' post.

As the minutes ticked down the home side had a short period of pressure, their only significant possession of the half. However, the Blues were to have the final chances, albeit none too clear-cut. Wilnis hit a shot wide before Couñago broke away down the right but his cross came off Kuipers and out for a corner.

A better second half display from Town which is hardly saying much after a first half of such woeful proportions. It was a familiar story for much of the game with the Blues enjoying long spells of possession but with few clear-cut chances or shots to show for it.

Joe Royle is likely to continue his hunt for a loan striker ahead of Saturday's home game against Watford and this evening's performance was yet another demonstration of why he is continuing his search.

Town: Gerrard, Wilnis, McGreal (Ambrose 9), Hreidarsson, Gaardsøe, Clapham, Holland, Magilton, Wright, Bent (Couñago 52), Armstrong (Naylor 46).

Photo: Action Images

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