Albion eased through to the quarter-finals of the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup with a 4-2 win over London City Lionesses at Dartford.
The Seagulls, tenth in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, knew victory over their Championship opponents would guarantee them qualification and goals from Matilde Lundorf, Ini Umotong, Emily Simpkins and Harley Bennett's own goal sent Hope Powell's side through.
But Arsenal's thumping win over London Bees consigned Albion to second in group B and an away tie in the last eight.
London City were forced to defend for most of the game and despite levelling through Evie Clarke's penalty, they lost for a fourth time in the competition and finish bottom of the group.
The visitors dominated possession and took the lead in the 18th minute as Lundorf beat her marker at the far post to turn home Felicity Gibbons' cross from the left. A delivery from a similar area saw Umotong restore the advantage after the break, also from inside the six yard box.
Bennett then bundled into her own net to give Brighton breathing space before Emily Simpkins added a fourth, sliding in at the near post to meet Lundorf's low cross from the right.
It was Simpkins who allowed London City a way back into the match as her strong challenge on Annie Rossiter was deemed a foul and Clarke converted with a right foot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Ellie Mason, a half time substitute, curled a consolation into the right corner two minutes from time.
To follow the action, buy tickets and sign-up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com
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