Albion have called in a pitch expert to improve Withdean before next month's televised FA Cup tie against Rushden and Diamonds.

Boss Peter Taylor believes the firm surface is making his players tentative at home and contributed to a costly mistake by Michel Kuipers against Peterborough on Wednesday.

The Dutch keeper failed to control Danny Cullip's backpass, which allowed Leon McKenzie to pinch a point for the visitors.

Taylor revealed: "We've had a specialist look at it and they have got some ideas to make the surface softer. I'm very hopeful that by the time we are playing Rushden there will be some improvement."

The condition of the Withdean pitch has been a recurring problem for the Seagulls. Several games were washed out last season and the club spent more than £100,000 in the summer on drainage and re-turfing.

"We are not alone in having problems," Taylor said. "If you look at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff everyone was falling over in the play-off finals and the LDV Vans Trophy final last season."

Table-topping Albion launch a run of three away matches at shellshocked Swindon tomorrow.

The Seagulls are unbeaten for six in the League away from Withdean, dating back to their only defeat at Northampton at the end of August, and will be roared on at the County Ground by up to 3,000 fans.

Swindon, without a chairman or Board because of a takeover saga, were swamped 4-0 on Wednesday at QPR.

Like Peterborough, they face the Seagulls after losing their last three League outings without scoring.

"That probably means they will be even more determined to make amends," Taylor warned.

Leftback Kerry Mayo, ruled out of the 1-1 draw against Peterborough by illness, should be fit for selection. Striker Lee Steele makes his 50th Albion appearance seeking two goals to bring up his career half-century.

Southampton boss Gordon Strachan has played down his appearance at Withdean on Wednesday when he watched Bobby Zamora notch his 15th goal of the season from the penalty spot.

Strachan claimed: "It was just a social visit. I was going to see a friend in Brighton and he wasn't in. I was not looking at any one player."