Albion’s players probably won’t realise it tonight but they will be trying to emulate Chris McPhee.

The current Weymouth striker was the last player to score for the Seagulls in a League Cup win away from home.

McPhee connected with an overhead kick to grab the only goal of a first-round tie at Bristol Rovers 11 years ago in which Nathan Jones was sent off.

Rovers took revenge with a 2-1 success at Withdean a year later.

But Albion’s best moments in the competition have all come at home since that summer’s night at the Memorial Ground.

It has been tough going on the road. They lost 1-0 in extra-time at Premier League Middlesbrough in 2003-04 and rather less gallantly at fourth-tier Shrewsbury in 2005.

Mark McGhee’s men, captained from central midfield by Leon Knight, were embarrassed 3-2 by the Shrews at Gay Meadow as big French goalkeeper Florent Chaigneau had an uncomfortable night for the Seagulls.

Joe Hart was in goal for Shrewsbury.

Defeat at Southend a year later was no disgrace. The Shrimpers were in the Championship and their League One rivals led for a while in the second half through a superb Dean Cox curler before losing 3-2.

Future Albion striker Billy Paynter equalised with what proved to be his only goal for Southend.

Tommy Elphick really emerged as a bright first-team prospect in a League Cup first round tie at Cardiff City in 2007.

The Championship side needed Roger Johnson’s header from a corner to squeeze past Dean Wilkins’ men at a sparsely-populated Ninian Park.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones sent on Aaron Ramsey for the last few minutes to make only his second senior appearance

There was no shame, either, losing 3-0 at impressive Championship outfit Swansea in 2009. Current Swans boss Garry Monk opened the scoring and Stephen Dobbie netted twice with Andrea Orlandi involved in two goals.

But a 2-0 humbling at Northampton in 2010, in which Matt Sparrow saw red, probably cost a couple of players regular involvement in what turned out to be a memorable title-winning season.

Which took the League Cup story away from home to the County Ground in 2012 and a 3-0 defeat as Alan Navarro scored twice on his Robins debut, weeks after being released by the Seagulls.

Albion will hope for a happier return tonight.