Dan Harding has warned his new team mates they face a major battle if they are to end Albion’s unbeaten start to the season.

The former Seagulls left back is now on loan from Ipswich to Southend, who Micky Adams’ men visit tomorrow night.

Both sides have opened the campaign with four points out of six and would have claimed maximum hauls were it not for late equalisers last Saturday.

Southend were pegged back at the death at Millwall after former Seagulls striker Alex Revell had threaded them into an early lead.

Harding, who is with the Essex club until January, said: “It will be interesting playing Brighton and I had a great time there.

“I came through the ranks and when I got into the team we won the play-offs. It was one of the best days of my life and something I will never forget.

“Both teams are doing well so I think it’s going to be a good game which will also be close.

“I think we’re doing well and were unlucky not to beat Cheltenham and Millwall.”

Southend were beaten at home by Cheltenham in the Carling Cup but were 1-0 winners over Peterborough in their first home League One fixture.

Harding added: “The lads were in the top six last season and the target has to be to do the same this time too.

“I’m enjoying playing football again and that’s why I came here, to play matches. At the moment it’s just a loan deal.

It’s going well so far but we will look at things again in January.”