Albion's reserves tossed away the prospect of their first Combination win of the season at Worthing last night.

An 87th minute equaliser by substitute Duncan Willetts earned Cheltenham an unlikely 2-2 draw.

Willetts had only just been introduced when he was put clear of an Albion defence caught looking for offside.

A strong Seagulls' line-up came from behind with two superbly taken goals in the space of a minute early in the second half.

Dirk Lehmann levelled on 56 minutes with a long range header from a Robbie Pethick cross, then the German striker set up Geoff Pitcher for a right-foot rocket into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Hugh McAuley had given Cheltenham a 47th minute lead with a sweet free-kick from 20 yards.

Albion's rookie front man Daniel Marney was forced off with a recurrence of thigh trouble only three minutes after replacing Scott Ramsay, who was returning from a loan spell with Yeovil.

Reserves: Packham; Pethick, Wicks, Virgo, Crosby, Melton, Pitcher, Rogers, Ramsay, Lehmann, Brooker. Subs: Wilkinson for Virgo (withdrawn 46), Marney for Ramsay (withdrawn 71), McPhee for Marney (injured 74), Hammond, Harding.

More on the Seagulls at thisisthealbion.co.uk