Micky Adams praised Albion’s attitude – and their centre-backs – after seeing his Port Vale side go out of the FA Cup.

Adams was proud of Vale’s efforts but felt his men did not trouble the Seagulls as much as he would have liked in their 3-1 defeat.

The former Albion boss said: “I think you give credit to Brighton. We thought we could get after them a little bit but I thought they showed their quality and I thought they showed their character.

“I think particularly Upson at the back and Dunk were excellent and they showed they have got some decent players.

“But we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Adams was unhappy with his team’s defending as Rohan Ince opened the scoring from a corner routine.

But he thought the second goal, from Solly March, was a fluke.

He added: “We switched off a couple of times. The first one we can do something about, the second one I think is a fluke.

“I don’t think he has meant to do that. He has crossed it into an area and it has looped in.

“The first one is avoidable. We are disappointed with that.”