Brighton and Hove Albion have been drawn at home to First Division opponents again in the FA Cup.

The Seagulls will entertain Sheffield United in the last 32 on January 26 if they beat Preston in their re-arranged third round tie at Withdean a week tomorrow.

It would be a nostalgic clash for Albion assistant Bob Booker and veteran midfielder Paul Rogers, both former Blades stalwarts.

The clubs met in the third round of the FA Cup in 1987.

Albion drew 0-0 away in Barry Lloyd's first match as boss, with current kit man John Keeley keeping a clean sheet.

The Seagulls lost the Goldstone replay 2-1.

Sheffield United progressed to round four of this season's competition with a 1-0 home win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Their manager Neil Warnock was in charge of Notts County when they denied Lloyd's Albion a place in the top flight of English football with a 3-1 win in the play-off final at Wembley nine years ago.

Albion's name was first out of the hat in last night's draw, conducted by former Manchester United pair Bryan Robson and Gary Pallister.

The last names out produced the tie of the round, a repeat at Highbury of last season's dramatic final between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Cardiff, managed by former Albion assistant Alan Cork, are away to Southend or Tranmere after yesterday's shock 2-1 victory over Leeds at Ninian Park.

Albion boss Peter Taylor's old club Gillingham host another of the third round giant-killers.

The Gills tackle Third Division strugglers Bristol Rovers, who humiliated Premiership Derby 3-1 at Pride Park yesterday.

Nathan Ellington, a close friend of Albion hot-shot Bobby Zamora, was Rovers' hero with a hat-trick.

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