The top price of a match day ticket for Albion has soared by almost 25 per cent.

But it is still cheaper to watch the Seagulls from one of the best seats in the house at Withdean than six of their Second Division rivals.

That is the finding of an exclusive Sports Argus survey on the dearest prices in Division Two.

Albion have resisted the temptation to cash in on their glamour Worthington Cup clash against Southampton.

They are charging normal prices for the second round showdown a week on Tuesday.

A seat in the centre of the South Stand at Withdean costs £17.25, compared to £14 last season.

That is a lot less than the £23 Stoke City charge for a view from the upper tier of the main stand of the four-year-old Britannia Stadium.

You will pay anything from £21 to £23 at Ashton Gate, home of Bristol City, depending on the category of the game.

Reading are next at the majestic Madejski Stadium at £20, although the price falls to £18 if bought in advance.

Cardiff City are the fourth most expensive at £19, with a corresponding pre-purchase price for Ninian Park of £16.

Queens Park Rangers and Bournemouth are bracketed together at £18, although the Bournemouth figure applies to the centre block of the main stand at Dean Court once redevelopment work is completed.

Fans of the Cherries are paying a maximum of £12 at the club's temporary home, Dorchester FC.

That equals the lowest price, levied by Blackpool for ramshackle Bloomfield Road which is also in the process of being redeveloped.

Wigan's impressive JJB Stadium is exceptional value at £13, the same as Colchester's modest Layer Road ground.

Wages are lower in places like Stoke and Cardiff, but the prices for all the clubs more expensive than Albion apply to covered seating.

The South Stand at Withdean is, of course, exposed to the elements.

Along the coast at Fratton Park, Portsmouth the top price for First Division football is £20.

A prime seat in Southampton's new Premiership home, the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium, is £29.

Two of the top three charges in Division Two are for nearly new stadia, so what price a ticket for Albion's proposed new home at Falmer?

Season ticket holders have been given priority since Thursday for the mouthwatering match against Saints.

Seats go on sale to away supporters scheme members on Thursday (10am) and any remaining tickets will be put on general sale from Monday, September 10.