ALBION’S luck was out again on the big stage at Wembley last night.

They frustrated Tottenham until right-back Serge Aurier fluked them ahead just before half-time with a cross which looped over goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

It was a cruel reminder of last month’s defeat at Old Trafford, when Manchester United were grateful for a Lewis Dunk own goal, deflecting in a shot from Ashley Young.

The Seagulls, showing five changes, were much better than in Saturday’s poor 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield.

The result was the same in the end, Heung-Min Son sealing the points for Tottenham with a stooping header from a free-kick late-on.

Tomer Hemed had Albion’s best chance when they were 1-0 down but the Israeli shot straight at Hugo Lloris.

Boss and former Tottenham stalwart Chris Hughton said: “You know it’s going to be a difficult evening with the quality Spurs have. We conceded two poor goals.

“The first was very fortuitous and the second goal was from a free-kick we didn’t need to give away.

“We had two chances in-between that we didn’t put away and that was the difference.

“In the first half we needed to be more confident and braver on the ball.”

Albion, still 13th, are now only three points above the relegation zone after draws for West Brom at Liverpool and West Ham at home to Arsenal.