Albion missed out on a place in the Avon Insurance Combination Cup final when they lost 1-0 to Bournemouth.

The semi-final, which had looked destined to go into extra time, was decided by Willie Huck's close-range 85th minute header.

But the goal owed much a brilliant piece of individualism from a newcomer to the professional ranks, Wade Elliott. He was a £5,000 capture from Dr. Martens League Bashley and only arrived at Dean Court earlier this month.

He gained possession 30 yards out, slalomed past three Seagulls defenders and then left Bournemouth-born goalkeeper Mark Ormerod stranded with a delightful 20-yard chip. The effort came back off the bar and transfer-listed Ormerod, who had recovered quickly to try and avert the danger, was beaten to the loose ball by Huck.

Brighton, with manager Micky Adams watching from the stand, included triallists Danny Arkwright and Ross Venables and central defender Darren Carr, who returned after suspension and injury.

And they looked the better side in the first half when midfielder Shaun Wilkinson twice went close in the opening minutes. First he had a 20-yard drive tipped over by Bournemouth keeper Gareth Stewart and then, from the resultant corner, he saw the keeper dive low to smother another long-range effort.

Scott's Ramsey's 42nd minute piledriver forced Stewart into a full-length save, but Bournemouth stepped up a gear after the break to snatch a cup final place and three league points at the same time from the double-header.

Albion Res: Ormerod, Armstrong, Andrews, Palmer, Arkwright, Carr, Venables (Hammond 55), Wilkinson, Ramsey, Marney, D. Davis (McGhee 72). Unused subs: A. Davis, Jackson, Packham.

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