Albion manager Micky Adams insists his side are not dead yet after a narrow Worthington Cup defeat by Second Division leaders Millwall.

Stunning goals in each half by teenager Kevin Braniff on his debut and David Livermore gave the injury-hit visitors a 2-1 victory in the first leg at Withdean last night. But Adams believes Paul Watson's free-kick equaliser on the stroke of half time has given the Seagulls hope of avoiding an instant exit from the competition for the sixth season in succession at the New Den a week on Tuesday.

"If we had a two goal deficit you would think it was a little bit beyond us," Adams said. "But certainly one goal gives us a little bit of help and we will go there and give it a go."

"I've got no complaints about the score," Adams said. "They are a good side. They had chances, we had chances, our keeper played well and so did theirs.

"They scored two great goals and that's what you tend to get against teams from a higher division, especially if you don't concentrate for 90 minutes.

"We were punished for slack defending both times. We failed to clear in our last third. We haven't got it right at the back yet and that's something for us to work on."

Adams had praise for Nathan Jones as well as keeper Mark Cartwright. The summer signing from Southend made his debut as a late replacement for Darren Freeman.

"He looked excellent," Adams said. "He put over two great crosses. He is a useful acquisition and I am pleased he is back."

Midfielder Richard Carpenter went off in the second half with an ankle injury.

Captain Charlie Oatway was also forced off in the closing stages with a groin injury ahead of Saturday's visit to Lincoln. They join Lee Steele (ankle) and Darren Carr (hamstring) on the casualty list.

So what did you make of the game? E-mail your views on Albion to sport@argus-btn.co.uk