Albion had to settle for parity after Coventry played more than half the match with ten men.

They had young central defender Calum Davenport sent off on 39 minutes for lashing out at Robbie Pethick.

The Seagulls were unable to make their numerical supremacy tell in the second half.

Coventry had the better of the match and the chances, Julian Joachim hitting the bar early on and then blazing wastefully over towards the finish.

Bobby Zamora was well shackled by the Sky Blues' defence but Albion can be well satisfied with a return four points from two games.

Albion, as expected, made two changes to the team which started so encouragingly with Saturday's 3-1 win at Burnley.

The hamstring injury suffered by Melton in scoring the opening goal at Turf Moor ruled him out, so club captain Paul Rogers made his first start since February 9 on the left side of a three-man midfield.

Cullip returned to the centre of defence after missing the Burnley triumph with a stomach bug.

Cullip's outstanding deputy at Turf Moor, 18-year-old Adam Hinshelwood, was among the replacements.

Wilkinson, Marney and Hammond completed a quartet of outfield players on the bench from the Seagulls' youth policy.

Coventry also made a couple of changes after coming from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Highfield Road on Saturday.

Blackburn target Thompson and Moroccan Safri returned from suspensions at the expense of Chippo and injured Belgian Delorge.

Striker Hughes, on the comeback trail from knee trouble, and birthday boy McSheffrey, 20 yesterday, were included on the bench.

Watson was booked for the second time in as many matches in the fourth minute for a rather crude tackle from behind on Thompson.

Cullip signalled his comeback with a firm but fair challenge on Coventry's former Liverpool wide man.

Thompson went down rather dramatically, which did not please Cullip, and referee Taylor let play continue before speaking to both players.

The Albion fans were in good voice, with Coventry's former Palace fullbacks Shaw and Gordon obvious targets.

Joachim almost gave the visitors the lead in the 12th minute. The ex- Aston Villa front man showed electrifying pace to get in behind Pethick from Bothroyd's flick before stabbing right-footed against the crossbar from an acute angle.

Albion were almost gifted a goal a minute later by Coventry's Danish keeper Hyldgaard.

Carpenter's low drive from a central position 25 yards out should have been straightforward but Hyldgaard, making his away debut, allowed it to elude his grasp and go just past the post for a corner.

Zamora was giving the Coventry defence plenty to think about with his movement, but it was hard work for him in the absence of any support through the middle.

Safri collected the second caution of the contest on 27 minutes for dissent.

Coventry spurned a good opportunity when Carpenter was dispossessed by Safri. Eustace had Joachim well placed to his right but instead shot tamely wide from outside the box.

Albion were handed a numerical advantage for the second time in fours days when Davenport was sent off for Coventry six minutes from the break.

The young centre half was penalised when he tried to get in a header on the edge of the Albion area. He was then involved in an incident with Pethick and referee Taylor had no hesitation in showing a red card.

Coventry's player/manager McAllister had his name taken for protesting at the decision.

Coventry reshuffled for the second half as a result of Davenport's dismissal. Quinn came on to take his place at the heart of the defence, and front man Bothroyd was taken off.

Albion had a let off early in the second half when a mistake by Mayo let in Joachim. He fed Eustace to steer a left foot shot just wide of the far post.

Thompson flashed a left foot effort on the turn just off target a few minutes later as Albion struggled to gain the ascendancy against the ten men.

A lapse at the back by Coventry offered Albion a rare second half opportunity. Zamora found Brooker in support to his left, but the winger delayed too long and Hyldgaard made a smothering stop at the expense of a corner.

Joachim wasted a great chance to put Coventry ahead with 14 minutes left, firing over from ten yards when Eustace released him through the inside right channel.

The Seagulls made a substitution on 79 minutes, Wilkinson coming on for Rogers.

Wilkinson almost pinched the points deep into stoppage time with an audacious chip just over the bar from the edge of the area.

Attendance: 6,816.

Albion Team: (4-3-3) Kuipers, Watson, Mayo, Cullip, Rogers, Hart, Oatway, Brooker, Carpenter, pethick, Zamora (Substitutions: Wilkinson for Rogers, 79).

Albion Bookings: Watson.

Fan's View: Bob Emery (Hove)

The return to Division One saw the normal hardworking and committed Albion strive to match the stars from the Midlands.

The sending off could have cost Coventry but McAllister showed his class and steadied the ship.

Paul Brooker was Albion's best player and constantly worried the Sky Blues' defence.

Shaun Wilkinson almost gave us the point with his floated chip at the death.

This Albion side will have a good year on the return to Division One. We must all stick together fans, players and the council and we shall progress.

Welcome back to the big time!