Gary Hart vowed today to keep on fighting for his Albion future.
The Seagulls stalwart played no part in the first three Championship matches and started his season last night by skippering the Reserves.
Hart, converted from a centre forward to a right winger in the first team, played at rightback in a 6-1 win for the Reserves against Woking at Worthing.
He admitted: "Obviously it's not ideal. I'd much rather be playing in the first team but I'm not at the moment and I'm really disappointed about that.
"I've just got to get on with it. I've been in this situation last year and a couple of times before so it's up to me to get myself out of it.
"I'll keep on fighting. New players have come in but I won't give up.
"I've got a contract until the end of the season and only three games have gone, so it's not worth getting upset about it. Things change over the course of a season."
Hart's hopes of regaining a first team spot have been reduced by the arrival of French right winger Sebastien Carole but he revelled in his revised role for the Reserves.
"Dean White asked me to play there and I really enjoyed it," he said. "I was a bit worried about positioning but I thought I came through it quite well."
Jake Robinson provided an early contender for goal of the season as White's team opened their campaign in the Pontin's Holidays Combination League in emphatic style.
The teenage prospect, playing on the right wing, found the top corner of the net with a spectacular 40-yard effort in the 48th minute before laying on three more goals.
Albion dominated the first half but had to wait until the 43rd minute for a breakthrough. Mark McCammon half-volleyed in from close range following clever skill and a cross from Albert Jarrett, who had earlier rattled the Woking crossbar from 30 yards.
Miles Jones punished untidy Albion defending from a free-kick after 52 minutes, turning to fire past Richard Martin from inside the box.
Woking's joy was shortlived, Argentine target man Federico Turienzo restoring the Seagulls' two-goal cushion a minute later with a firm near-post header from Robinson's cross.
Alexis Nicolas drilled in the fourth from the edge of the box on 69 minutes and Robinson set up sub Dean Cox for the fifth and sixth on 85 minutes and the stroke of full-time.
A youth team game earlier in the day stretched the Seagulls' small squad to the limit, so they were only able to name Cox and Steve May as substitutes.
Martin kept goal as international clearance has not been received yet for Frenchman Florent Chaigneau.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article