Simon Rodger was called up for his Albion debut against mid-table Bradford at rain-drenched Withdean.

The introduction of Rodger in midfield at the expense of Charlie Oatway was the only change to the team annihilated at Crystal Palace last Saturday.

Seagulls' chief Steve Coppell decided it was worth gambling on the fitness of Roger as Albion bid to avoid a club record 13th League defeat in succession.

The Shoreham born former Palace playmaker came off the bench against his old club for the final half hour of the soul-destroying debacle at Selhurst Park.

In an ideal world Coppell would have given Roger a 90 minute run-out in the Reserves, but those plans were ruined by consecutive postponements at Portsmouth last week and Bristol City on Wednesday.

Dean Blackwell, signed at the same time as Roger also on a monthly contract, made his first home appearance at the heart of the defence alongside captain Danny Cullip.

The only other change was on the bench, with Andy Petterson re-signed as cover for Michel Kuipers.

Coppell watched Bradford lose away for the fourth League match in a row at Reading on Tuesday.

The Yorkshiremen were forced into one change following that 1-0 reverse. A calf injury ruled out Andy Myers, so Paul Evans was recalled.

Evans was a key figure in Brentford's midfield when Coppell guided them to the Second Division play-off final last season.

The Bradford substitutes included former Albion centre of excellence star Michael Standing, the great nephew of chairman Dick Knight.

Bradford boss Nicky Law was involved in unsavoury incidents with Albion players, staff and supporters when he visited Withdean as the Chesterfield manager last December for a stormy 2-2 draw.

Martin Perry, Albion's chief executive, pleaded in the match day programme for supporters to be "cool heads, not hot heads."

The FA and police are still investigating claims that referee Phil Prosser was racially abused and coins were thrown towards the Sheffield United dugout during the previous match at Withdean.

A short silence was observed before the kick-off in memory of Seagulls stalwart Jock Riddell.

Players and staff past and present turned out in force earlier this week for the funeral of the long serving kitman who lost a year-long battle against lung cancer.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Dean Blackwell, Gary Hart, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Bobby Zamora, Graham Barrett,Simon Rodger. Subs: Rogers, Oatway, Petterson, Marney, Hinshelwood.

Bradford City: Steve Banks; Mark Bower, Danny Cadamarteri, Ashley Ward, Paul Evans, Andy Gray, Robert Molenaar, Gus Uhlenbeek, Wayne Jacobs, Paul Reid, Stephen Warnock. Subs: Juanjo, Standing, Davison, Emanuel, Francis.

Referee: Mr B. Curson (Leicestershire).