The Seagulls made it four games away from home without defeat yesterday with a 0-0 draw away to play off chasing Blackpool. It was a very poor game with on loan keeper Scott Flinders once again pulling off some great saves to give the Albion a hard earned point.

 

Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Gorkss, Coid, Forbes (Hoolahan 62), Jorgensen, Fox, Gillett, Morrell (Parker 62), Burgess (Vernon 76).
Subs Not Used: Evans, Joseph.

Brighton: Flinders, El-Abd, Lynch, Butters, Mayo, Cox, Bertin, Robinson, Hammond, Revell (O’Cearuill 82), Savage (Elder 72).
Subs Not Used: Kuipers, Ward, Hart.

Att: 8,164

Ref: A Taylor (Cheshire).

This is not a game that will long live in the memory of the 600 odd Albion fans who made the journey to the Seaside resort.

Dean Wilkins once again kept faith with the starting line up from last weeks 1-1 draw away to Crewe. This meant Michel Kuipers was once again on the bench with on loan Scott Flinders retaining his place.

On a poor pitch and with the wind strong a good game of football didn’t look to be on the cards and that was certainly the cases.

In a tight first half it wasn’t until 42 minute that the first shot on target was registered and that shot came from an unlikely source in Albion right back Adam El-Abd. The strong defender firing in a 25 yarder which forced Paul Rachubka in the Blackpool goal into a comfortable save at the second attempt.

And a few moments later Blackpool should have taken the lead. A good cross in from Shaun Barker found Claus Jorgensen unmarked, but the midfielder was unable to direct his header goalwards.

The second half provided slightly more entertainment although the Seagulls were up against the ropes for much of the half with some brave defending and some good goalkeeper making sure Albion came away with a point.

Center backs Guy Butters and the ever impressive Joel Lynch had a great game while Scott Flinders more than repaid Dean Wilkins faith in him with a string of good saves.

Some wasteful finishing from former Albion target Ben Burgess let the Seagulls off the hock early in the second half when the former Hull striker fired over from close range after exchanging a one-two with Andy Morrell.

Albion’s best chance of the half fell to Jake Robinson. The hard working Bas Savage running from well within his own half broke forward before passing to Dean Cox who found Robinson on the edge of the area, but Robinson’s shot was tipped around the post by Rachubka.

Dean Hammond went close from the resulting corner which appeared to be blocked on the line by a Blackpool defender.

Blackpool enjoyed the majority of the possession in the second period putting great pressure on the Albion back four without creating a huge number of clear cut chances. When they did create a little bit of space there was always an Albion defender putting in a block or Flinders bringing out a good save.

Claus Jorgensen had yet another chance to win the game on the stroke of full time, but his shot from the edge of the area was saved well by the diving Scott Flinders.

So a bore draw but another good point for the Seagulls on their travels. Up next another tough test for the Seagulls with League Leaders Scunthorpe visiting the Withdean next Saturday.
 

Player ratings
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Flinders	8/10	Man of the match - There are some who would have expected Kuipers to have returned but another impressive display shows why Wilkins has kept faith.
Mayo	6.5/10	Was involved a lot early on and did ok against a fast winger.
Lynch	7.5/10	A great defensive display from Lynch. Once again showing the sort of form which has won him so many admirers.
 Butters	7/10	 Came up against some big forward and didn’t do as well as he normally does in the air but a solid display.
El-Abd	6.5/10	Looks good in defence but when moved into midfield in the second half he looked out of sorts.
Cox	7/10	Our more creative player but not his best game.
Robinson	7/10	Needs a goal badly. Went close in the second half.
Hammond	6/10	In the formation we are currently playing Hammond isn’t a strong as he is in the middle and looks lost on the left wing at times.
Bertin	6/10	Since Bertin’s arrival he has really shown some class but this wasn’t his greatest performance.
Revell	5/10	Not really effective and didn’t threaten Blackpool.
Savage	6/10	Worked hard but didn’t really get any great service.
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Subs:		Â
Elder	5/10	A late sub.
O’Cearuill	5/10	Came on at right back which isn’t his strongest position.

Added on Sunday, March 11th, 2007 at 4:43 pm under Match reports by Wilka.