Nathan Elder has revealed his frustration at not getting the chance to show Albion fans what he can really do.

The former Billericay forward was sold to League Two Brentford yesterday for £35,000 after making only three starts in a year with the Seagulls spent mainly on the bench and scoring goals for the reserves.

Elder, 20, said: "I was on a learning curve at Brighton and I learnt a lot, good and bad.

"I don't really feel as though I was given enough of a chance to show what I can do, it was more in fits and spurts coming off the bench.

"I just don't think he (manager Dean Wilkins) was confident enough in me to start me on a regular basis.

"Even when some other players weren't performing I don't think he had that confidence to throw me in. That's football, it's not a walk in the park."

Elder, bought from Billericay for £10,000, had to wait until the last game of last season for his full debut at Cheltenham.

He celebrated with a goal but had another long wait for his next start, against the same opponents in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Withdean in November. He failed to make an impact but that was not the case when he was thrown on in the closing stages at Oldham three weeks ago.

Elder scored a stoppage time equaliser, only to endure further frustration a week later as an 87th minute substitute in the 1-1 home draw against Huddersfield.

Elder was stunned to make his third start - and final appearance for the club - in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Northampton.

He was preferred to Glenn Murray, Albion's £300,000 buy from Rochdale, although Murray replaced him midway through the second half.

Elder said: "When I scored at Oldham I wasn't expecting to start the next week but I was expecting to get maybe a little bit more of a run-out and I didn't.

"So, to get the call against Northampton, especially when we had just bought a striker in, was a massive surprise but when you get those opportunities you have just got to take them."

Elder was still resigned to his fate. Wycobe were also interested in signing him but he opted to join Brentford on an 18-month contract and a move back from Gatwick to London, where his family and friends are.

He said: "I had an idea in my head that if certain things hadn't happened by a certain time then I would have to move on, otherwise I would have been just sitting there and stewing until the end of the season when my contract was up, not knowing whether I was going to get another one.

"I'm really happy about going to Brentford. It's what I want, regular first team football.

"I will still have to work just as hard for that and I will still be learning just as much, just in a different situation."

Wilkins said: "Nathan never really got an opportunity to have a run of games. He was in competition with some good front players in Bas (Savage), Fozzy (Nicky Forster) and Alex (Revell).

"It can be frustrating then for a player. I hope he has learnt a lot from being here. He is a really good lad and I hope he goes on and has a long and successful career."

Elder's switch follows Revell's £150,000 move to Southend 24 hours earlier.

Wilkins said: "He obviously saw Glenn come in and it was clear in Alex's mind that I was going to try to partner Glenn with Fozzy, so when the formal offer came in from Southend he took the option to speak to them.

"Players move on. He has done great for us and I would like to thank him for his efforts over the last 18 months.

"I sincerely hope he feels it has been a really worthwhile experience for him and that he has learnt an awful lot. I wish him all the best for the future."

Do you think Nathan Elder should have been given more opportunities at Albion?