Dirk Lehmann guided Albion through a potentially tricky Senior Cup test and issued a double reminder to his bosses in the process.

The German hitman struck twice and had a goal disallowed as a strong reserve side comfortably saw off their Ryman League hosts.

Lehmann has struggled for a first team place since his summer move from Hibernian but last night's performance for a side managed by Dean White and watched by Petyer Taylor will have done his cause no harm at all.

He admitted: "I didn't come to the club to sit on the bench and I hope the manager saw tonight that I'm on form. I want to play. It will be difficult to get in the team because we keep winning and the players are doing well, but it is the manager's decision and he knows I'm there if he needs me.

"Everybody showed a really good attitude tonight. If we come here and don't give everything we can get caught out."

Bognor boss Jack Pearce was impressed by the visitors' approach to the tie but said: "We weren't disgraced."

Albion had the game won by half time and, if the 3-0 scoreline was a touch harsh on the hosts, there was no doubting the quality of the Seagulls' attacking work.

Lehmann was involved in all three goals. His 15th minute opener was a particularly classy finish as he chested down Shaun Wilkinson's cross at the far post, turned past Jodey Rowland's challenge and whipped a fierce right foot drive in off the upright.

Matt Russell thought he had equalised by pouncing on the rebound when Will Packham spilled Simon Funnell's curler only to be given offside.

Within a minute, Albion were further ahead. Andy Walker's pass was easily picked off on half-way by Lehmann, who led a brisk counter-attack culminating in both him and Paul Brooker having shots blocked before Brooker applied the finish.

Rocks settled and played some nice stuff for quarter of an hour, but they lacked composure in the final third of the field and were punished when Lehmann despatched Geoff Pitcher's inviting cross with a firm header on 38 minutes.

Craig Stoner had no chance with any of the goals, though he could look back with satisfaction on a spectacular tip-over from Paul Rogers' fierce 25-yarder in only the third minute.

Lehmann thought he would be walking off with the Argus-sponsored matchball when he guided home a header off the underside of the crossbar, only to be penalised for the gentlest of nudges on Rowland.

Bognor are chasing promotion but this fourth successive defeat will not have done their confidence any good.

Richard Hudson looked their best attacking prospect until limping off. He had a second half effort saved by the diving Packham, who reserved his best work until two minutes from time, when he blocked Funnell's fierce volley.

Bognor: Stoner; Walker, Rowland, Wright, G.Rutherford, Murphy, Russell (sub Wyatt 73), M.Birmingham, Funnell, Howell, Hudson (sub Balse 61).

Used subs: James, Pickering, Ndoye.

Yellow Card: Wright (fouled 53), Russell (kicking ball away 64).

Albion: Packham; Virgo, Wilkinson (sub Jackson 76), Crosby, Wicks, Pitcher (sub Hammond 76), Rogers, Melton, Lehmann, Ramsay (sub McPhee 65), Brooker. Used subs: Sansom, Wojciechowski. Yellow Card: Wilkinson (foul 61).

Referee: Martin Postles, Billingshurst. Attendance: 284
Men-of-the-match: Lehmann. (Albion), Rutherford (Bognor).