Whing: We did switch off which is criminal

The Albion right-back, however, also conceded the Seagulls played a significant part in their own downfall as they became the latest vitims of Carlisle's amazing home record.

(Or maybe not so amazing when you take into account their location, the inhospitable conditions and the compact, well-organised line-up boss John Ward has crafted).

Whing, whose first-half booking leaves him on one yellow card from a two-match ban, forecast a miserable trip home as he emerged from the Brunton Park changing rooms.

It could have been worse. The Albion squad flew back on an early evening flight from Newcastle and would have been back in Sussex at a decent time.

But it would have taken more than a smooth flight and a BA sandwich to cheer them up after they let slip the chance to achieve a result which would have set the rest of League One talking.

For half an hour, though, it seemed Albion were going to respond in the best way to what is, for various reasons, the most daunting away trip of the season.

Then the roof caved in as Glenn Murray hit the woodwork and Danny Graham bundled home the opener beneath the eyes of his adoring fans on the old-fashioned covered terrace behind the goal at the Warwick Road End.

Whing admitted: "It's very frustrating. We played well in the first half, hit the post and then they go up the other end to score from a set play after poor marking from us.

"Then exactly the same in the second half. We passed them off the park, played really well and then they go up the other end and score off a set piece again.

"We're bitterly disappointed. It's going to be a long journey home. We're gutted in that dressing room."

Albion's away support was 358, which is pretty good going for such a long trip but still meant the vast majority of the crowd had turned up expecting a 12th successive Carlisle home win.

They ended up singing "The Blues are going up" but there were grumbles from three sides at times, notably in the periods just before the hosts got their goals.

Whing said: "You could tell they were getting restless because we were passing the ball around very well and breaking them down.

"We switched off, though, and that's criminal at this standard. The second goal as well was one where we lost our marking.

"We're absolutely gutted with the result considering the way we played."

Albion's frustration peaked in that mad spell in which they hit the post, conceded the first goal and then saw play waved on when Murray turned and fell in the home penalty area.

The subsequent penalty shout was all about perspective. The press box was some way from the incident but we had a great angle and there did not seem to be contact.

Whing would have seen it from about 90 degrees further around and would clearly not have been aware Murray did not feel he was fouled.

Then there was the fact referee Mike Pike put his whistle to his mouth but did not blow. That seemed to confuse a lot of people.

A couple of minutes later, Whing charged forward, went down under a challenge that might or might not have been a foul and was shown yellow when he argued with Pike's decision to award a goal kick. It was frustration born out of a series of events and means he must sit out two matches if he gets booked in any of the next nine.

Whing, always an honest and willing talker, said: "My first thought was it's a penalty'. When the referee puts his whistle to his mouth and then decides not to blow it, you think what's the ref thinking about?' "Obviously we were bitterly disappointed just going 1-0 down and we thought it was a penalty.

"Then I've been fouled on the edge of the box and he hasn't given the free-kick. Their lad came over to me at the end and said definitely a foul' but the referee booked me for that.

"We're disappointed with decisions, luck maybe, but all in all it's our own fault for not taking chances or picking up at set pieces."

So now comes Walsall. As a local boy, the trip to the Banks's Stadium was always going to be big for Whing. Now it has even greater significance for Albion. And Walsall themselves come to that after they lost at home on Saturday.

Whing said: "It's a massive game now. On a personal note, I'm going to have a lot of family and friends there which is great for me. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get this disappointment out of the way as soon as possible.

"I'm thinking about the bookings but I'm not going to change the way I play.

"I'm bitterly disappointed with the decision (on Saturday) but I'll play the same game."