Fortress Withdean breached

How times have changed when little Yeovil can take on Brighton and beat them.

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised. They did beat us twice last year and are up with the leaders in League Division 1.

It was a game of two halves. They won the first and we won the second.

Unfortunately, our solitary second-half goal didn't match their first-half two.

Yeovil scored after 15 minutes when a Nathan Jones cross (Nathan "step-over" Jones was an Albion favourite a couple of seasons ago!) found its way through to Town's centre-forward Lloyd Owusu - one nil to Yeovil.

Nearing half-time the Seagulls were unlucky as Owusu was off-side when he received the ball. Play was allowed to continue and he found Warne who beat Michel Kuipers from the edge of the box - two nil Yeovil.

Brighton were much better in the second half and had the benefit of a 'hand ball' penalty with 30 minutes left. Captain Dean Hammond put this away, notching up a tally of four goals in the four home games.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough and despite their best efforts the Seagulls could not complete the comeback.

Manager Dean Wilkins is obviously not a Seagull Scene reader, or if he is he failed to pick up on my 'save super-sub Savage as a sub' suggestion.

Alex Revell didn't start but did replace Bas Savage after 55 minutes. Also Jake Robinson didn't start but replaced David Martot after 65 minutes.

Perhaps it's being wise after the event but reversing both of these selections would have been a more positive attacking option.

Brighton did have a new left-back on show, Matt Richards, who is on loan from Ipswich. He had a slightly uncomfortable start and needs time to settle into the team.

By the second half he was showing promise and should be a useful acquisition.

The downturn is that we do run the risk of being labelled "Ipswich Reserves".

Richards is reunited with former Ipswich players George O'Callaghan and Nicky Forster. Also Brighton still have an ongoing interest in bringing back to Withdean midfielder Dean Bowditch from the Tractor Boys.

With a Ringmer wedding to attend I had to pass on my ticket to a young family member. From the games that I have seen my personal attendance record has seen the Seagulls unbeaten this season.

I just hope the young Seagull fan gets to see some big wins in the future. However, it was a lovely day for a wedding, there was sunshine at Withdean, and it was only the result that was wrong.

The loss against Yeovil left Brighton in the top half of the table - just.

With the home record breached the Seagulls must be looking for a win from Saturday's game away at Swansea. It would be a good time to register the first away points and get back on track for the play-offs.

Meanwhile off the pitch there is talk of Gold. It is speculation, the sort that sells newspapers, but allegedly a certain David Gold wants to invest some of his millions in Brighton.

Gold, together with his business partner David Sullivan, is said to have sold a 29.9% stake in Birmingham City to a Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

Rules prevent involvement with two clubs so until a takeover is completed Birmingham chairman David Gold cannot invest in another club.

Approval for Falmer has prompted the suggestions that Gold's money could come our way.

Chairman Dick Knight knows Gold 'pretty well' but will not comment on such idle speculation. We can though.

Gold does have the right football passion. He now has Sussex connections via a home and apparently he has friends who are season ticket holders at Withdean. It could be that Gold is the guy to take Brighton forward at Falmer.

The financial clout to take us back to the big time where we belong provided by an English football fan, can't be bad can it? So watch this space, from November onwards.