Traditional rivalry was set aside as football fans staged a match in tribute to September 11 victim Robert Eaton.

Supporters representing Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace took part in the second annual match in aid of the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund.

Mr Eaton, who was killed in the attack on New York's World Trade Center, was an avid Albion fan and the fund was set up in his honour. It raises money for a youth football academy in New York.

Early estimates suggest the day, which included a raffle and refreshments, raised about £1,000.

Albion allowed free use of the Withdean Stadium pitch, as well as providing stewards and catering staff.

Club chairman Dick Knight was among the spectators and presented the man of the match awards. Members of Mr Eaton's family, from Ditchling, also attended.

The friendly spirit of Sunday's game was enhanced by Crystal Palace's win over Stoke City the previous day, offering Albion a lifeline in their battle against the drop.

The mutual respect, however, did not stop the Palace fans' side running out convincing 5-1 winners.

Fund spokeswoman Roz South said: "It was an excellent day, with everyone in good spirits - no doubt helped by Saturday. A lot of people were joking about how they never expected to be supporting Palace in a match.

"The quality of football was dramatically better than in the first game. Both teams had made a lot of improvements. Unfortunately, Palace obviously made more than us."

The match was due to take place last November but had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

More than 40 people took part in another commemorative football match to celebrate the life of Paul Smith, 26, who died after his sports car hit a lamp post on Kingsway, Hove, in October 1999.

Before the accident, Mr Smith, from Hove, had been raising money for two boys with leukaemia after seeing an article about them in The Argus.

He never had a chance to give them the money but his family has continued his fund-raising work.

Mr Smith's friends and family attended a memorial service at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Mile Oak, Portslade, before the match kicked off at the Portslade Community and Sports Centre.

It was the second commemorative match, which is played on the Sunday nearest May 1, Mr Smith's birthday. This year he would have been 30.

More than £400 was raised as each player paid £10 to compete. The teams then went on to The Neville pub in Hove where fund-raising and celebrations continued.

Mark Cox, a schoolfriend, said: "We decided to have the match near his birthday rather than the anniversary of his death as it was too sad."

Another friend, Stefan Britton, said: "We will keep playing each year until we are too old. It's a fitting way to remember Paul as he loved football."