He may not be match sharp yet but he still knows where the net is.

Nicky Forster’s second goal in as many starts earned Albion a valuable point at The Den last night in their quest to get their season up and running.

Forster’s second-half header, following his opener and subsequent penalty miss against Stockport last Saturday, rewarded a performance of character from Russell Slade’s men after falling behind early on.

They had Michel Kuipers to thank for saves at key moments of the contest but the Seagulls were well worth a point on the balance of play and it gives them something to build on.

The Albion squad pretty much picked itself, with their considerable injury and suspension problems but Slade still had a couple of key decisions to make.

Kuipers, back from a ban, was preferred in goal to Graeme Smith and Alan Navarro retained his spot as the holding midfielder, despite growing pressure from Gary Dicker.

Kuipers’ recall apart, the only other change to the team beaten 4-2 at home against Stockport last Saturday was the return to the defence of Adam El-Abd at the expense of the suspended Tommy Elphick.

Millwall were similarly depleted, entirely due to a lengthy injury list rather than any disciplinary issues.

They could only name six substitutes, Jimmy Abdou recovering from a hip injury to take over from groin victim Chris Hackett.

The shortage in the Millwall ranks was exacerbated shortly before kick-off when experienced marksman Neil Harris was a late withdrawal from the starting line-up.

Jason Price was drafted into the attack, further reducing the home bench to just five players.

It seemed, at the time, good news for the Seagulls, given that Harris has already scored five goals this season.

That assumption was swiftly turned into a fallacy, Price breaching Albion’s makeshift rearguard within six minutes.

Ali Fuseini’s pass left both Andrew Crofts and Andrew Whing trailing in the wake of Dave Martin down the left flank. The former Crystal Palace winger, a transfer target for Albion a couple of seasons ago, crossed low for Price to convert from close range.

Albion’s preparations earlier in the week had concentrated on their defensive shortcomings after leaking 11 goals in the previous two games.

Lessons had evidently not been learned. Two minutes later, Marc Laird put Gary Alexander clean through and it required a fine block by Kuipers to keep his side in touch.

Kuipers again justified his comeback later in the first half when he dived to divert Alexander’s downward header from another cross by the dangerous Martin for a corner.

In-between those saves Albion mounted an encouraging response to their deficit.

Liam Dickinson had a free-kick deflected narrowly off target by a Millwall player. Dean Cox went even closer to an equaliser with a scissors kick volley just wide after Forster headed back an Adam Virgo free-kick.

After their three red cards in the last two games, the Seagulls came perilously close to another in the opening 45 minutes.

Whing, booked early on for a tussle off the ball with Martin, held the winger from behind deep inside the Millwall half.

Referee Andy Penn played the advantage but, once the home side’s counter-attack had come to nothing, he lectured Whing at length.

The uncomfortable start to the campaign for Whing, the reigning player of the season, has typified the Seagulls’ initial plight.

While the many newcomers settle in, several of those they have joined have not been at their best so far.

Dicker, popular with supporters following his contribution on loan from Stockport towards the end of last season, falls into that category.

A failure to recapture his form during the pre-season programme cost Dicker his place but he was handed an opportunity in the second half by an ankle injury to Navarro.

It was another of the ex-Stockport brigade, the ever-willing Dickinson, who was instrumental in a chance to restore parity 13 minutes into the restart.

A clever pass inside set up Elliott Bennett to open his account on his away debut but the former Wolves winger was left anguished as his angled right-foot shot from ten yards skewed wide.

Frustrating though that was, it signalled a good spell for Albion and Cox was unlucky not to level midway through the second half with a chip against the underside of the crossbar.

It would have been controversial if it had gone in as, moments earlier at the other end of the pitch, Kuipers escaped when he clearly picked the ball up just outside his area.

Albion were eventually deservedly rewarded for their endeavours when, with 20 minutes remaining, Forster firmly headed in a deep cross from Virgo at the far post via the legs of keeper Forde.

Having hauled themselves level, they were grateful to Kuipers once more shortly afterwards for a flying parry from Abdou’s shot on the turn.

Millwall’s extra time exertions in their ugly Carling Cup exit at West Ham on Tuesday appeared to catch up with them until a late rally in which James Tunnicliffe cleared off the line.

Albion will be quite satisfied to have enhanced the Lions’ early season reputation as draw specialists.

Albion (4-4-2): Kuipers; Whing, Virgo, Tunnicliffe, El-Abd; Bennett, Navarro (sub Dicker, 46), Crofts, Cox (sub M Wright, 87); Forster (sub Hart, 77), Dickinson. Subs not used: Livermore, Thornhill, G Smith, Davies.

Scorer: Forster (70).

Yellow Cards: Whing (12) unsporting behaviour, Virgo (90) foul, Hart (90) foul.

Millwall: (4-4-2): Forde; Dunne, J Smith, Frampton, Barron; Laird, Abdou, Fuseini (sub Hughes-Mason, 83), Martin (sub Friend, 65); Alexander, Price (sub Grimes, 74). Subs not used: Sullivan, Boulder.

Scorer: Price (6) Yellow Cards: Dunne (50) foul.