He is too young to buy anything much stronger than orange barley, but Robinson's already the toast of Albion fans.

Jake Robinson that is. The precocious striker wrote himself into the record books again as the Seagulls eased through to the second round southern section of the LDV Vans Trophy.

Last month Robinson became Albion's youngest ever player in the League Cup when he came on at Middlesbrough.

Today he holds another more significant record, as the club's youngest ever scorer.

Robinson's moment of history arrived two minutes from the end, when he slotted in Nathan Jones' slide-rule pass.

His goal eclipsed by 58 days the mark set by Mick Conway and ensured Albion's passage after a couple of anxious moments in the second half.

It was no surprise that Robinson celebrated his first appearance at Withdean with a goal.

He made things happen as soon as he came on for Leon Knight 12 minutes into the second half.

Robinson almost found the net much earlier. He prodded just wide after latching onto his own miscued header from a Kerry Mayo centre.

He was also narrowly off target with an angled shot shortly before getting on the scoresheet.

Robinson has an ideal role model in Knight who, as caretaker Bob Booker pointed out, is about the same size.

Albion's prolific mini marvel had broken the deadlock ten minutes from the break with his 11th of the campaign.

It owed everything to the tenacity and industry of his partner Chris McPhee.

He seemed to be hemmed in by a couple of defenders close to the corner flag, yet somehow found space to cross low for Knight to convert from close range.

In the end it was a satisfactory night all-round for Albion, considering they had little to gain and a lot to lose.

The crowd of just under 4,000 was surprisingly healthy, even though the match counted as the free Cup voucher for season ticket holders.

Booker also got the balance about right in his second game in charge.

He needed a positive result, without taking any unnecessary risks against inferior opposition.

Captain Danny Cullip rested his calf problem, so Robbie Pethick was restored to the centre of defence.

Paul Watson, sidelined since August by sore foot arches, returned at rightback in place of Adam Hinshelwood.

Albion were otherwise at full strength and, although not at their best, the scoreline was a fair reflection of their superiority.

Rovers, struggling towards the wrong end of the Conference, began brightly enough but their ambition soon diminished.

Keeper Steve Perrin had to make three saves in swift succession from a shot by Knight, a long range effort by Watson and a Richard Carpenter header.

Scared off by this early flurry, the Gloucestershire visitors were content to funnel men behind the ball and invite Albion to break them down.

It was difficult to see a way back into the game for the underdogs at half time, yet Albion twice had cause to be grateful to Michel Kuipers.

Midway through the second half he was down smartly at the base of his right-hand post to keep out Denny Ingram's sweetly struck free-kick from 30 yards.

Kuipers produced an even better stop a minute before Robinson's clincher.

Martin Foster, Rovers' best player, cut inside to hit a low shot from inside the box which the diving Dutchman diverted one-handed for a corner.

Albion have now gone eight hours and 37 minutes without conceding a goal at Withdean.

Kuipers has been responsible for the last four clean sheets and six out of seven in total since returning from his loan spell at Hull, excluding Middlesbrough's extra-time winner.

Guy Butters, who is just about old enough to be Robinson's dad, continues to go from strength to strength as well. He had another sound match alongside Pethick.

Albion are long overdue a run in the competition for lower division clubs which, in the past couple of seasons, has been widened to include some Conference teams.

Based on current League positions, they are the best side in it.

In 11 previous attempts, under various sponsors, they have never progressed beyond the regional semi-finals.

The competition has its critics and only generates real interest in the later stages.

The early rounds are generally regarded as a bit of a nuisance, but try telling that to Robinson. He will never forget his LDV debut.

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Kuipers (gk) 8; Watson (rb) 7, Mayo (lb) 6, Pethick (cd) 7, Knight (f) 7, Hart (rm) 6, Carpenter (cm) 6, Butters (cd) 8, Jones (lm) 7, McPhee (f) 7, Rehman (cm) 6. Subs: Piercy, Hinshelwood, Harding for Jones (withdrawn 90), Flitney, Robinson 8 for Knight (withdrawn 57).
  • Scorers: Knight (35), Robinson (88).
  • Bookings: Carpenter (1) foul.
  • FOREST GREEN ROVERS: (4-4-2): Perrin; Stoker, Searle, Richardson, Ingram, Phillips, Kennedy, Foster, Grayson, Owers, Moralee. Subs: Adams, Cant for Foster (withdrawn 88), Rogers for Kennedy (withdrawn 68), L Jones for Moralee (withdrawn 82), Langan.
  • Bookings: None.
  • Half-Time: Albion 1 Forest Green 0.
  • Attendance: 3,969.
  • Fan's View: Simon Levenson (Hove).

Albion did what they had to do in progressing to the next round of a cup competition that they have an excellent chance of winning.

Although the final scoreline was comfortable enough, they were once again indebted to their Dutch goalkeeper Michel Kuipers who made two great saves while there was only one goal in it.

Youngster Jake Robinson impressed greatly on his home debut and his late goal was thoroughly deserved.