Dean Cox has revealed why he chose not to celebrate his spectacular deflected strike at Withdean last night.

The former Albion winger put Leyton Orient ahead on the way to a 2-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy success and later hit the bar with a stunning volley.

Cox, who came through the youth ranks and made 151 starts for the Seagulls, said: “I’ve had great times down here.

“I’ve got fond memories and they live with me. It went in but I didn’t want to give it the big ‘un, so to speak. I just walked back to the halfway line.”

Cox received generous applause from home fans, as did Orient boss Russell Slade and substitute Alex Revell as they returned to Withdean for the first time.

Slade said: “The standing ovation when I came out was a bit embarrassing for me really but it was lovely.

“I’m chuffed to death with that. I’ve got great memories but we all move on.”

Albion debutant Liam Bridcutt insisted: “We could have won the game.

“I thought we played well, passed the ball around and had the better opportunities.”