Paul Rogers is relishing the chance to erase the stigma of the first red card of his Albion career.

The Seagulls have been drawn away to Second Division strugglers Cambridge United in the LDV Vans Trophy southern section quarter-finals on December 4.

Ten-man Albion opened their League campaign with a goalless draw at the Abbey Stadium in August after skipper Rogers had been sent-off just before half time for a second bookable offence.

"That was a nightmare," Rogers said. "It was the first game of the season and you want to stay on the pitch for the whole game. Luckily the lads did well and still came away with a result.

"It's not the easiest draw we could have had, but it's an interesting one. Obviously you want somebody at home, but Cambridge are below us in the League."

John Beck's side were fifth-bottom going into today's programme, already 18 points adrift of second-placed Albion. They are hard to beat at home, where they have drawn four and lost only one of their eight League outings.

Rogers led a side consisting mainly of fringe players to a 2-1 win after extra time against Wycombe at Withdean in the second round on Tuesday, thanks to a golden goal from fellow midfielder Steve Melton.

The Portsmouth-born veteran knows how it feels to be successful in the knockout competition for lower division clubs. He scored a last-gasp winner for Wigan in the Wembley final against Millwall before signing for the Seagulls.

"We will have to see whether we continue playing a fringe team, but it is definitely worth going for," Rogers said.

"We are taking it seriously. There is a big financial incentive and it would be great to get to the final again and play at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. If we get past this round then it becomes a real possibility."

Port Vale, managed by former Albion captain Brian Horton, won the first final to be staged in Cardiff against Brentford last season.

The holders, visitors to Withdean in the League next Saturday, have been drawn away to Hull in the northern quarter-finals. Horton said: "They gave me my first job in management. They are getting big crowds under Brian Little and are revitalised, so it should be a good game."

Southern section: Barnet v Reading, Cambridge United v Albion, Bristol Rovers v Dagenham and Redbridge, Bristol City v Peterborough.

Northern section: Notts County v Oldham, Chesterfield v Blackpool, Huddersfield v Scunthorpe, Hull v Port Vale.