Albion’s lack of firepower on their travels was exposed once again as they were held to a goalless draw at Millwall.

Boss Chris Hughton played two up front for the first time in his reign, with Leon Best partnering Craig Mackail-Smith, but they failed to score for the fifth time in the last six away games.

Joe Bennett went closest to breaking the deadlock when he curled a free kick against the bar in the second half and then blazed a good chance wide in the closing stages.

Millwall’s position near the foot of the table meant they were more desperate for the win but they hardly tested David Stockdale in the Albion goal.

The point lifted the Seagulls eight points above the relegation zone thanks to Wigan’s defeat at home to Watford.

Millwall were looking to end a five-game losing streak but there was no sign of a lack of confidence as they took the game to Albion from the kick-off.

Boss Neil Harris had vowed to get the Lions fired up for what was his first home game in charge but the Seagulls still appeared to be caught off guard.

A corner from Shaun Williams bobbled around dangerously in the six yard box before being hacked clear by Bruno and then the lively Lee Gregory burst clear down the left before setting up Martyn Woolford for an effort into the side-netting.

David Stockdale almost added to his catalogue of mishaps this season when he punched a corner straight into the back of one of his own defenders but was relieved to see the ball go behind for another corner.

Albion could have got their noses in front against the run of play, however, in a bizarre passage of play in the tenth minute.

Millwall keeper David Forde came haring out of his area in an attempt to clear but was comfortably beaten to the ball by Craig Mackail-Smith. But instead of shooting towards the unguarded net Mackail-Smith opted to square the ball and the opportunity was gone.

The Seagulls did come into the game more as half-time approached with Leon Best forcing Forde into a smart stop at his near post and Dale Stephens seeing his goalbound effort blocked by a defender.

Hughton made a change at half-time with Beram Kayal replaced by Kazenga LuaLua. It meant Stephens moving into the middle and LuaLua playing on the left.

The Seagulls made a much better start to the second half than they did the first and went close to breaking the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

Best won a free kick on the edge of the area and Joe Bennett’s curling effort came back off the bar with Forde completely stranded.

Albion went close again when Best headed wide from Bruno’s deep cross to the far post but after that chances were few and far between.

Both managers made attacking changes in a bid to find a winner, Hughton bringing on Chris O’Grady and Joao Teixeira for Mackail-Smith and Best while Harris introduced Magaye Gueye, Stefan Maierhofer and Diego Fabrini.

Albion could have won it in the closing stages when LuaLua played in Bennett but the full-back blasted his shot high and wide from the angle.