Withdean is staging a big FA Cup fourth round tie next week after all.

Albion wish, of course, it could have been against Sheffield United but instead it is Dean Wilkins' kids who are on the brink of creating club history.

Victory against Peter Taylor's old club Leicester on Wednesday from 7pm will take them through to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time and a trip to Tranmere or Aston Villa.

Albion have done well to get this far, thanks to a 4-1 win at Wokingham, a 3-1 success at Newport and a 4-1 hammering of Hull.

Eight Premiership clubs have already gone out, including Liverpool, Newcastle and Leicester's victims Charlton. The fledgling Seagulls played Hull at Worthing but chairman Dick Knight wanted to reward the efforts of the players, coach Dean Wilkins and director of youth Martin Hinshelwood with an outing at Albion's temporary abode.

Wilkins said: "It's something Dick was keen on doing in the last round.

"Obviously it has been on our minds as well. The more chance they get to experience playing there the more confident they will be if they go on to make it into the first team.

"At the moment the closest they have got is standing around the track as ball boys on match days, so they are quite excited about it."

Albion went out in 1998-99 to Coventry when they were still a top flight club and the following season to Everton, so Wilkins hopes it will be third time lucky against Premiership opposition.

"The biggest thing is how they cope mentally. We won't have to get them motivated but they could get over-excited and that is when mistakes are made. We will be trying to keep them calm."

The FA Youth Cup is for under-18s and Albion's squad comprises a mixture of players from the under-19 and under-17 teams. It includes Chris May, the goalkeeping son of Larry May, who played for both clubs.

Meanwhile, Albion fans have been urged to stay in their seats at Withdean.

The warning follows last month's fiery clash against Monday's hosts Chesterfield, which is still the subject of an FA investigation.

Some supporters left their seats in the south stand for a slanging match with Chesterfield manager Nicky Law, now in charge at Bradford, and Albion have received several letters of complaint from both the Spireites and their fans.

Chief executive Martin Perry said: "We have seen some poor behaviour by visiting managers and coaching staff at Withdean, and it can be provocative.

"However, under no circumstances should supporters approach the area behind the dugouts in response. This can make the situation worse and cannot help our players concentrate."

Perry is also clamping down on foul and abusive language against visiting teams and supporters standing for long periods during the game.

He said: "This has become a regular event, particularly in the south stand singing area. In times of excitement supporters will leap up and that is fully understandable.

"But to remain on your feet obscures the view of people sitting behind so in the end everybody has to stand up. We are particularly concerned about children and the elderly. A trip or fall under these circumstances can result in serious injury."