Norwich began brightly, but it was Albion who created the first real moment of danger.

Zamora showed wonderful touch and awareness to find Wilkinson with a first time pass on the volley from Mayo's long ball forward.

Wilkinson was fouled close to the corner flag by Kenton but Carpenter's inswinging free-kick that followed was safely gathered by Green.

Green, 22, showed why he has already represented England at Under 16, 17 and 18 level with another confident catch as Zamora, policed by Drury, tried to get on the end of a left wing cross from Brooker.

Brooker popped up on the right to deliver a centre which Zamora, sandwiched by Kenton and Nedergaard, managed to get his head to.

His effort drifted over the bar and he was penalised in any case for pushing by ref Dermot Gallagher.

The match was being played at a decent tempo considering the stamina sapping conditions and Albion were knocking the ball around with plenty of confidence.

Kenton's lethargy in trying to clear a miss-hit cross from Watson allowed Wilkinson to get in a snapshot over the bar from 15 yards.

Norwich did not pose much of a threat in the opening quarter of an hour.

Mulryne, their former Manchester United midfield playmaker, was well wide with an ambitious attempt from 25 yards.

It was worth a try though since he scored from 30 yards against Grimsby and is renowned for his long distance shooting.

Kenton, the Canaries highly rated young central defender, was being given one or two uncomfortable moments by Wilkinson and Zamora.

The visitors then enjoyed a better spell as they started to trouble the Seagulls' defence.

Roberts tried to head a cross from Easton into the path of Rivers, but he was well tracked by Mayo as the ball ran through to Kuipers.

Rivers shot over on the turn when well placed from Holt's header after a deep centre had eluded the stretching Kuipers.

Albion were occasionally putting themselves in bother by over elaborating in midfield areas.

They continued to look menacing going forward, however, with Zamora seemingly benefiting from having a partner up alongside him.

Hart, given time to turn by the Norwich defence from Oatway's low cross, could not get sufficient power or direction into his shot which drifted wide at Green's right hand post.

A delightful piece of play by the diminutive McVeigh at the other end released Easton and Pethick covered well at the expense of the Canaries' first corner.

Oatway was demonstrating that he is more than just a destroyer with some intelligent distribution from the middle of the park.

His colleague Carpenter found Brooker with a delightful crossfield pass, but his cross again gave Green a routine catch.

There was real concern for Albion when Zamora received treatment off the pitch from physio Malcolm Stuart following a challenge with Kenton.

The Seagulls' hotshot hobbled back on a couple of minutes later, but it was immediately obvious that he was struggling.

Zamora had to be replaced by youngster Daniel Marney on 36 minutes. It was a massive blow as he limped off towards the dressing room.

The Seagulls, jolted perhaps by the departure of their star man, almost conceded a goal a minute later, Kenton heading just over from Mulryne's free-kick.

Albion now had a very inexperienced strike partnership of Marney, making his senior debut, and Wilkinson on only his fourth appearance in the first team.

The Seagulls were nearly punished for defensive uncertainty shortly before the break.

Cullip left a header from Roberts to Kuipers. The big Dutchman was a little late coming off his line and had to smother at McVeigh's feet at the expense of a corner.

A promising attack by Albion, involving Carpenter, Brooker and Hart, ended with an acrobatic scissors kick by Wilkinson whichw as blocked away by the Norwich defence.

Zamora's injury overshadowed what had otherwise been a satisfactory opening 45 minutes for the Seagulls.

Half-Time: Albion 0 Norwich 0.

Norwich made a substitution for the second half, Notman replacing Rivers on the right flank.

Albion put Zamora's absence behind them in the early stages of the second half.

Most of the play was condensed into Norwich territory, although they were still unable to seriously test Green.

Wilkinson was having a busy debut. He could not direct a header towards goal under severe pressure from Kenton and was then blocked through the middle by a firm challenge from Fleming, which had the fans rather than the Albion players appealing for a foul.

Another patient passing build-up ended with Fleming bringing down Wilkinson 20 yards out.

Watson's ensuing free-kick was deflected for a corner which Albion's normally reliable right back made a mess of by crossing straight behind the goal when Brooker set him up.

Norwich were showing a disappointing lack of attacking ambition in the circumstances and Albion were unfortunate to fall behind against the run of play 13 minutes into the restart.

Roberts met Easton's cross at the near post with a firm header which forced Kuipers into a marvellous one-handed stop.

The ball broke back to Roberts and his partner McVeigh then reacted quickest to nod in from close range.

McVeigh's third goal in three games after an opening day double against Grimsby was hard on Kuipers, conceding at Withdean for the first time in four hours and 36 minutes.

Albion responded positively to their deficit by forcing a couple of corners in quick succession.

Charlie Oatway went close to levelling the scores, but his header from six yards out cleared Green's crossbar.

The Seagulls fell further behind on 68 minutes to a brilliant finish by Easton.

Mulryne's cross from the right seemed too deep to cause any danger, but Easton met it as it fell with a left foot volley from a tight angle which sped past Kuipers.

Albion fought hard to give the home fans something to cheer about, but to no avail.