January 14: Norwich 3, Albion 1

They lost Steve Sidwell, Michel Kuipers and an entertaining rescheduled third round tie after threatening to defy the odds stacking up against them.

The prospect of being without that influential pair for a large chunk of the relegation fight could be far more damaging than relinquishing a lucrative Cup run.

The Seagulls' chances of repeating their Boxing Day knockout of Norwich in the League nosedived before a ball had been kicked.

News filtered through that Sidwell, scorer of the only goal on that occasion and five in 12 matches overall, was in Reading rather than the Albion midfield for talks over a permanent move.

A few weeks ago, Albion lost out to the Royals in a long-running bid to sign Brighton-born former Charlton stalwart Steve Brown.

The Berkshire club were, of course, runners-up to them in the Second Division last season but they have the triple advantage of an attractive stadium, wealthy resources for wages and a healthy League position.

Kuipers' persistent right thigh problem flared up again during the Christmas League victory at Carrow Road.

He was able to stay on the pitch that day, although it prevented him from kicking in the second half.

When the big Dutchman collapsed in a heap after kicking in the 27th minute last night, it soon became apparent to physio Malcolm Stuart that he could not continue.

Will Packham, 22 on Monday, was plunged into the FA Cup furnace again following his unfortunate full debut against Preston at Withdean at the same stage of last season's competition.

Albion did a pretty good job of protecting the young understudy.

Packham did not have to make a save until the second minute of the second half, when he blocked a header from substitute Iwan Roberts and Paul McVeigh nodded the rebound wide.

A minute after that Albion went ahead via the unlikeliest of sources and the generosity of home keeper Robert Green.

He parried a free-kick from Richard Carpenter close to the left-hand touchline straight into the path of Robbie Pethick at the far post.

Pethick's first Albion goal and first of his career in the FA Cup was a gift for him and the bookies. He was a 66-1 shot to open the scoring.

A sixth successive exit at the third round stage looked a distinct possibility for Norwich at that stage.

There was little evidence of the 20 places and 25 points between the teams in the First Division.

Albion, with Charlie Oatway returning from suspension to make his 150th appearance for the club in place of Sidwell, might have doubled their advantage.

Bobby Zamora, now with one goal in his last 11 games, headed a quickly taken free-kick by Paul Watson straight at Green.

The lead lasted only eight minutes. Packham made a decent stop from Roberts' shot when an Adam Drury cross was headed square by Mark Rivers, but Phil Mulryne swivelled to convert the rebound from 15 yards.

The contest was finely balanced and could have gone either way at that point.

Packham saved Malky Mackay's header low down on the goal-line, while at the other end Zamora set up Paul Brooker for a shot from ten yards which Green smothered.

A touch of quality put Norwich in front with 19 minutes remaining.

Rivers' cross was cleared by Danny Cullip as far as McVeigh. The diminutive Northern Ireland marksman, recalled to the starting line-up after coming on to equalise against Rotherham three days earlier, cracked home a right-foot drive on the turn from 20 yards, his 13th of the season.

Albion's fate was sealed by Mulryne ten minutes later. Boss Steve Coppell felt Carpenter was harshly penalised for a challenge a couple of yards outside his own area.

The defensive wall was still retreating under orders from the ref when he allowed Mulryne to take the free-kick.

It took a deflection off the wall, leaving Packham wrong-footed and flat-footed. He got both hands to the ball but couldn't keep it out.

In the end it needed the odd flash of inspiration from former Manchester United midfielder Mulryne and ex-Spurs striker McVeigh to see off the Seagulls' gutsy challenge.

Coppell said: "Once we went in front I thought the very worst that would happen is that we could draw.

"They (Norwich) put a lot of passion into it, a little bit of quality and good fortune.

"Three-one flattered them a bit, but that doesn't matter in a Cup tie. We are out and they are in."

Coppell admitted the loss of Kuipers "did affect us", although he added that Packham "made some excellent saves."

The £30,000 Albion receive as third round losers is scant consolation after a night of headaches for Coppell.

As if he doesn't have enough to occupy him, Zamora collected a harsh fourth booking in eight games just before the break after tangling with Drury. One more and he will be banned.

• Albion (5-3-2): Kuipers 6 (gk); Watson (rwb) 7, Mayo (cd) 7, Cullip (cd) 7, Carpenter (cm) 7, Barrett (f) 6, Pethick (cd) 7, Jones (lwb) 7, Brooker (rw) 7, Oatway (lm) 7, Zamora (f) 7.

Subs: Packham 7, for Kuipers (injured, 27), Blackwell for Jones (withdrawn 80), Piercy for Watson (withdrawn 80) ,Rogers, Hinshelwood.

• Scorers: Pethick (48).
• Bookings: Zamora (44, unsporting behaviour).
• Norwich (4-4-2): Green; Drury, Mackay, Fleming, Mulryne, Holt, Russell, McVeigh, Abbey, Rivers, Nielsen. Subs: Roberts for Abbey (withdrawn 46), Henderson for Rivers (withdrawn 85), Lee-Barrett, Llewellyn, Kenton.
• Scorers: Mulryne (56, 81), McVeigh (71).
• Bookings: Holt (69, foul).
• Half-Time: Norwich 0 Albion 0.
• Attendance: 17,205.
• Fan's View: Steve Darby.

The game started well, with an equal amount of play to each team in the first half.

In the second half we had a bit of luck when the ball rebounded out to Pethick who scored an opportunist goal.

Then a number of bad refereeing decisions managed to turn the game on its head. From having a penalty appeal turned down we then went 2-1 down and ending up losing 3-1.

We missed Sidwell in midfield with his creativity going forward and the engine he provides us with.

Great credit to the supporters there who supported the team right through to the bitter end.