Referee Keith Hill was at the centre of another red card storm involving Albion last night.

Hill sent off Danny Cullip against his old club Brentford in the second half of the LDV Vans Trophy clash at Griffin Park.

The score finished 2-2 after extra time, but the Seagulls went out 4-2 in the penalty shootout after misses by substitute Darren Freeman and Paul Watson.

A dramatic tie turned on the 55th minute dismissal of Cullip for elbowing Brentford striker Mark McCammon.

Albion were 2-1 ahead at that point thanks to first half goals by Paul Brooker and Bobby Zamora, but McCammon headed a 79th minute equaliser against the ten men.

Hill sent off two Halifax players and Albion's Gary Hart in a stormy match at Withdean last season, which ended up with boss Micky Adams on a misconduct charge for remarks he made to the fourth official.

Adams said: "I am disappointed when any of my players are sent off. The referee says Danny was sent off for an elbow.

"I did not see the incident. But it is not the first time we've had some sort of controversy with Keith Hill refereeing.

"Danny got involved in an incident when he should know better and walk away, but until I see the video I don't know if he was guilty or not."

The influential Cullip now faces a three-match ban, ruling him out of League games at Exeter on January 27, Torquay on February 3 and the home showdown with promotion rivals Cardiff on February 10.

Albion seemed on course for victory when they were 2-0 up and again in the shootout when Michel Kuipers saved from Paul Evans.

But Freeman struck the bar and regular taker Watson had his spot-kick saved.

Watson also missed from the spot at Barnet on Boxing Day and Adams said: "That is the end of his career as penalty taker for us."

Adams was otherwise full of praise for his battlers, especially rookie Adam Virgo who made his debut as a second half substitute.

"It doesn't feel like a defeat," Adams added. "We have drawn 2-2 as far as I am concerned.

"We battled magnificently and did the Brighton public proud."

l ALBION have agreed an undisclosed compensation package with Crystal Palace for goalkeeping prospect Lance Cronin.

The 15-year-old is signing a lucrative five-year contract Palace on the Selhurst Park pitch at half time in tomorrow night's Worthington Cup semi-final against Liverpool.