STEVE Sidwell has branded Albion’s Amex title let-down “a massive dampener on the whole season”.

The Seagulls blew the chance to seal top spot in the Championship with a surprise 1-0 defeat in their final home game against Bristol City.

The Football League’s plans to present the trophy on the pitch had to be ditched.

The players still went on a lap of honour with their families after clinching promotion to the Premier League with three matches to spare but Sidwell could not disguise the deflation.

The midfielder, brought on in the second half, told The Argus: “I’m massively disappointed, considering what it could have been and should have been.

“It has put a massive dampener on the whole season if you ask me.

“I know we have another game but more hopes were pinned on this game, no disrespect to Bristol.

“With it being a home game and the record at home, the celebrations should have been better out there. The lap of honour should have had a trophy.”

Albion now head to Aston Villa, one of Sidwell’s former clubs, on Sunday, needing to equal or better Newcastle’s result at home to Barnsley, having also missed the opportunity to win the title in the previous away game at Norwich.

Sidwell said: “We have another chance at Villa Park. It’s going to be very tough, especially after two defeats.”