Albion are urging fans to turn out in force to cheer Peter Taylor's table-toppers through to round three of the FA Cup for the first time since 1992.

The Seagulls fear one of the lowest crowds ever at Withdean for Saturday's noon showdown against Rushden and Diamonds.

Ticket office staff have been urging supporters to tell their friends that seats are still available.

Yesterday the club announced extra ticket incentives for fans. If Albion progress to the third round, supporters with a ticket stub from Saturday's match will be given priority when booking tickets for the next home tie. Alternatively, they can have a £5 discount at the club shop on any purchase over £20.

Tickets are on general sale and the club says it is a perfect opportunity for people unable to get in for sold-out League matches. Albion's 1-0 win in the first round of the FA Cup last month against Rushden's Division Three rivals Shrewsbury attracted a crowd of 5,450.

That was the smallest attendance, with the exception of the LDV Vans Trophy, since the League visit of Halifax in March 2000.

The Shrewsbury tie fell in the middle of three home matches and the visitors exacerbated the low turnout by sending back late around 400 tickets which they were unable to sell.

Albion also believe some regulars opted to follow Lewes 24 hours later on their historic trip to Stoke.

Saturday's clash against Rushden has already proved a turn-off for season ticket holders, particularly with two Friday home games in the League looming before Christmas.

They will be turning on their TV sets instead to watch live coverage of the match on Sky, rather than forking out up to £19.50 for a seat in the North Stand.

Martin Perry, Albion's chief executive, said: "Whether TV has an impact remains to be seen. It might do.

"Every League game is a total sell-out, it's just the early rounds of the Cup. If we get through this round then we could draw one of the big boys and then it gets really interesting."

Albion are anxious to avoid empty spaces in front of the TV cameras, although the £100,000 they receive for television rights will more than offset any drop in revenue from the gate.

Meanwhile, experts have been carrying out soil tests in a bid to overcome the latest problems with the Withdean pitch.

The Seagulls are concerned about the way the playing surface has deteriorated in recent weeks.

They spent £130,000 in the summer on drainage and re-turfing after a series of matches were postponed last winter, but the club will not be paying this time. "It's not down to us," Perry said