Albion matchwinner Paul Watson is in the mood to punish Southampton for rejecting him.

The late free-kick hero of Saturday's 2-1 League win against QPR was kicked out by the Premiership club, who visit Withdean in the Worthington Cup tomorrow night.

"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," Watson revealed.

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

"Being so long ago means there is not really an extra incentive for me, but I suppose the game has got a little bit of edge to it."

Watson's 90th-minute free-kick from just outside the box on Saturday stretched Albion's winning run at Withdean to 11 matches and lifted them to sixth in the table.

Boss Micky Adams said: "He is a free-kick specialist. They obviously watch the television and see those wonderful goals David Beckham scores from free-kicks.

"Paul spends time on the training pitch practising that sort of thing and we have reaped the rewards."

Bobby Zamora headed Albion into a second half lead with his fifth home goal of the season, but Rangers threatened to pinch a point with a disputed 79th-minute equaliser.

The Seagulls were down to ten men, with Charlie Oatway lying injured inside his own half. Referee Bill Jordan allowed play to continue and substitute Andy Thomson slotted his third goal of the campaign for the Londoners.

Oatway was under treatment immediately after the game for an ankle injury and faces a fight to be fit for the second round showdown against the Saints.

So too does influential defender Danny Cullip, who played most of the match with hamstring and arm injuries.

Adams, who spent six and a half years at Southampton as a player and was linked with the manager's job in the summer, said: "We can relax and look forward to that one.

"It is a big bonus for the players and supporters. We have not been in the second round for a number of years and who knows?

"They should beat us, but football is not like that sometimes. We are proud of our home record and want it to continue, even against a Premiership side."

Albion put 400 tickets on general sale at the ticket office in central Brighton from 10am today.

Southampton are still without a win this season after losing 2-0 at Tottenham in the Premiership yesterday.