ALBION have been pitched into using their training complex to stage more matches – because an artificial rule has stopped them hiring the Sussex FA headquarters.

The Seagulls planned to play some home games for their under-21s at Culver Road in Lancing again this season.

They have been forced to think again after a 3G surface was laid at the HQ of the County FA to help cope with the volume of games played there.

Artificial pitches are disallowed in the under-21s Premier League, so Monday’s match against Stoke had to be switched to the club’s nearby training facility with a daytime kick-off.

Some future home games have been re-routed to the well-equipped complex, where entry for spectators is restricted to a limited number of season ticket holders.

They watched first team squad members Niki Maenpaa, Rohan Ince, Jake Forster-Caskey, Solly March, Danny Holla and Elvis Manu help Albion’s development side to their first win of the season against Stoke.

Easier access to under-21s fixtures will still be available to fans via games held at the Amex, the next against West Ham on November 2.