Rebels sunk by injury-time goal

Forster burst into the area after Alex Revell's one-on-one effort was saved by Rebels keeper Rikki Banks and he drilled the ball home from eight yards.

Worthing will count themselves unlucky to have lost the game after finishing the game on top. Richard Hudson, who had already set up Rebels' equaliser, had a shot deflected wide of the near post and Dean Lovegrove fired across the face of goal when Albion keeper John Sullivan's clearance struck him.

Rebels leveller had come on 51 minutes when Hudson's trickery got him into the penalty area and after Sullivan parried his shot, Sam Gargan, who is on loan to Worthing from Brighton, slid the ball home from six yards.

The first half had been dominated by Albion. Jake Robinson, Dean Cox and Paul Reid had all gone close before Nathan Elder put Brighton ahead on 27 minutes. After cutting in from the left, Robinson's low shot was blocked by Banks and Elder tapped home from four yards.

Twice within the next minute, Elder headed Paul Reid crosses wide and then on 33 minutes, he fired a one-on-one opportunity off target from Charlie Oatway's pass.

Bas Savage and Tommy Elphick also went close in the first half before Worthing came more into the game in the second period.

Worthing joint-manager Alan Pook said: "I've said all along that our youngsters are very good. There will be away games, where it's wet and windy where they may be muscled out of games, but at home we will always look to attack.

"I thought that we were excellent in the last quarter of the game and they got the goal on the break.

"But, it's fantastic to have Brighton here and a privilege to see Dean Wilkins and the boys.

"We had a lot of young supporters here today and I hope they all come back because I think it's going to be a good season.

"Richard Hudson was outstanding and was fantastic for the goal and Andy Alexander was also very good."

Albion midfielder Charlie Oatway said: "Worthing did magnificently. They stuck with it well and they made it difficult for us in both halves.

"They did well and it was a good run-out for us so everyone's a winner."

Brighton boss Dean Wilkins said: "Worthing are in a similar boat to us in that they have a young squad. But I'm sure with their management team they are going to be successful this year."

WORTHING: Banks; Andrews, Axten, Alexander, Ekoku; Tucknott, Day, Akehurst, K.Keehan; Gargan, Hudson. Subs: Melia (Tucknott 37), J.Keehan, Lovegrove (K.Keehan, Ekoku 45), Mlynowski (Melia 50), Rogers, Davis (Akehurst, Gargan 58), Phelan, Dodds (Hudson, Andrews 80), Hunter.

BRIGHTON first half: Kuipers; Fogden, Elphick, Lynch, Mayo; Reid, Oatway, Cox, Robinson; Elder, Savage.

Second half: Sullivan, Chamberlain, Fraser, Butters, Rents; Gatting, El Abd, Hammond, Loft; Revell, Forster. Sub: Skinner (El Abd 88).

For more match reaction and a picture special, see Thursday's Worthing Herald.