The Lincoln game is off and Albion have switched next Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy tie against Brentford from waterlogged Withdean to Griffin Park.

It follows the postponement of tomorrow's home game against Lincoln.

The concession of home advantage means Withdean managers Ecovert South now have until the Seagulls' next home fixture against Barnet on January 20 to carry out emergency drainage repairs.

Lewes referee Steve Tomlin did not hesitate to call off tomorrow's game when he made an inspection early this morning.

"The pitch is completely flooded," he said. "Many areas are under an awful lot of water."

Tuesday's tie against Brentford in the second round southern section of the LDV Vans Trophy has been switched with the agreement of the Football League.

Martin Perry, Albion's chief executive, said: "I think it is far better we play it at Brentford.

"We don't want these fixtures to build up."

Ecovert carried out thousands of pounds worth of drainage work and re-turfing on the south side of the pitch before Christmas.

They will now carry out similar repairs in front of the north stand, which was interrupted by the poor weather in December.

Perry said: "They are going to put in substantial additional drainage and re-turf something like 700 square metres in the next ten days.

"We are going to do what ever we can to get the pitch back to a decent playing surface as soon as we can."

Perry said it had not been decided who would pay for the work. That depends on the outcome of talks between the club, Ecovert and Brighton and Hove Council.

Boss Micky Adams admits the state of the pitch could begin to have a bearing on team selection.

"I am getting to the stage now where I have got to start looking at the pitch before I pick the team," Adams said.

He may even start selecting a different line-up home and away to cater for the appalling Withdean surface.

Captain Paul Rogers said: "That is possible. A lot of the other pitches are a lot better than ours."

Albion's out-of-favour centre half Darren Carr is joining Lincoln on a month's loan instead of going to Carlisle.

Carr was due to team up with rock-bottom Carlisle next week after returning from a month on loan with Rotherham.

But Lincoln have stepped in to snatch him.