Mark McGhee today cleared his defence of negligence for the 90th- minute goal which sent his team heading to Carling Cup defeat.

But the Albion boss conceded last night's 3-2 extra-time reverse at League Two struggler's Shrewsbury Town was "a shocking result".

The Seagulls led twice in normal time through Mark McCammon and Jake Robinson but were taken to an extra half hour when home substitute Jay Denny struck late as the defence appeared to switch off.

Denny went on to hit the winner 55 seconds into extra time.

McGhee said: "The players didn't switch off on the equaliser. They thought it was our throw-in. Leon Knight turned away thinking Adam El-Abd was going to take the throw but they have taken it.

"That took us by surprise. You can say we should have made sure it was our ball but even from the dugout I thought it was ours."

McGhee also felt Albion should have had a penalty in extra time when Robinson appeared to be scythed down by home skipper Kevin Sharp but referee Trevor Parkes waved away their appeal and booked the Albion substitute for diving.

The Seagulls boss admitted: "We are very disappointed. It's a shocking result.

"We will try to make sure it does not affect our confidence but it probably will.

"Losing to a team two divisions below you does not do confidence any good whatsoever, regardless of the nature of it, but we have now got to turn that around for Saturday."