Albion made sure the youngsters knew their history before sending them out to play at Withdean.

A particularly youthful under-21s team secured a 1-0 success over AFC Varndeanians in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup.

It was the club’s first playing return to the ground which was their home from 1999 to 2011 after the sale of the Goldstone Ground and exile in Gillingham.

The secured four promotions, for a nett gain of two divisions, during their time at the athletics stadium while the quest to secure permission for, finance and then build the Amex continued.

A near capacity attendance of 741, accommodated in the covered North Stand, saw the Seagulls forced to work hard for a win secured by Louis Flower’s first-half goal.

Under-21s coach Shannon Ruth and assistant Gary Dicker, who played for the club during their Withdean days, made sure the players knew all about the significance of the venue.

Ruth believed that might have put a bit more pressure on the team.

He said: “Just before the game we played the 25 young guys through the video that the media team put together, of the club just about staying in the [league] to coming to the Withdean and then making its way into Europe, a wonderful video.

“We showed them that before the game to give the players a flavour of what this ground means and the story of the football club.

“We have a lot of talented young players now but it’s really important to us that they understand what this football club means and the journey it has been on.

“So that was really evident in their minds, and probably added a bit of pressure at the same time because it was a tough challenge. So, pleased overall.”

Albion had most of the possession but were given a good test by a well-organised Southern Combination outfit, who posed occasional threat on the break.

Flower, who was born a month after the Seagulls' play-off win at the Millennium Stadium in 2004, guided home the winner after a terrific burst from midfield by teenager Sahil Bashir.

Ruth said: “I thought Varndeanians did fantastically tonight and made it really tough for us and first of all, a really good evening for everyone involved, for our football club returning to Withdean and for the support that was here tonight.

“And the crowd made it a really good experience for our young players.

“It was a challenge. These games are not straightforward for the young players.

“It’s an environment that they’re not used to.

“And for us to get a clean sheet - we should have had more goals, we’re disappointed with that - but to get through with a clean sheet and to have the control that we had, we’re very pleased.”

Flower later had a searing finish disallowed for offside and Remiero Moulton was denied by a fine save from Sonni Nealgrove, who did well on a busy evening in goal.

Albion keeper Lorenz Ferdinand held a Tommy Boyle shot and was forced to hack the ball clear as well-supported Varndeanians looked to force a shoot out.