MONDAY: Matchwinner Paul Watson reveals how he was rejected as a kid by Worthington Cup rivals Southampton.

Albion's late free-kick hero against QPR says: "I was at Southampton from 12 to 16 and got released just as I was coming up for an apprenticeship, so it's nice to draw them.

"It was a massive blow, really my first big setback. I had been on schoolboy forms, so it came as quite a shock."

Around 350 tickets on general sale for the Southampton tie are snapped up within two hours and the next home League game against Stoke is sold out.

TUESDAY: Albion are defeated but not disgraced by Saints in a lively second round clash at Withdean.

James Beattie just before half time and Anders Svensson with two late solo efforts give the Premiership strugglers their first win and goals of the season.

Michel Kuipers has an outstanding match behind an Albion defence denied the services of Danny Cullip due to hamstring trouble.

WEDNESDAY: Micky Adams praises the Seagulls' performance. "People will look at the result and think they must have battered us, but they didn't," declares the boss.

"At times we controlled the game in terms of passing and we showed we can handle the ball.

"My kids still live and go to school in Southampton and if I am going to lose a game of football I am pleased it was against them."

The reserves draw 1-1 away to Oxford United, Shaun Wilkinson scoring a late equaliser THURSDAY: Watson prepares for his 100th League appearance in a row at Wrexham.

"I missed a few games at the start of my first season down here, but since then I haven't missed any," says Albion's reliable rightback.

"I don't want to tempt fate but apart from a knee injury at Fulham, when I tore ligaments and was out for ten weeks, I have been pretty lucky."

FRIDAY: Central defender Andy Crosby has clear the air talks with Micky Adams. The centre half was unhappy that Matthew Wicks was preferred to deputise for the injured Danny Cullip in Tuesday's Worthington Cup defeat by Southampton.

Adams said: "Andy was disappointed that he wasn't involved and I can understand his frustration, but I've got to make hard and fast decisions.

"We've had a clear the air meeting and he has just got to get on with it."

Cullip missed the Friday night Wrexham game because he was still suffering from a hamstring strain.