Mark Cartwright cannot believe his bad luck in missing out on a nostalgic return to Withdean.

The first red card of the Shrewsbury keeper's career has ruled him out of next Saturday's FA Cup first round clash.

To make matters worse, the former Albion No. 1's absence is all the fault of another ex-Seagull.

Cartwright was sent-off at Gay Meadow against Lincoln last Saturday for hauling down David Cameron.

Yes that's right, the same David Cameron infamously branded "useless" by Micky Adams' assistant Alan Cork during an unhappy stint on the south coast.

Cartwright confessed: "I am devastated. Of all the games for it to happen I have to be missing this one.

"I was really looking forward to coming down and playing at Withdean again. I was expecting a good reaction from the crowd, because the fans were brilliant to me, and I was looking forward to playing against the boys.

"I spoke to Bobby Zamora, Charlie Oatway, Danny Cullip and Bob Booker last Saturday and they were all laughing. They reckon I did it on purpose, because I didn't want to face them!

"It's the first time I have been sent off in my career and it's the last thing I wanted to happen."

Cartwright's thoughts immediately turned to the implications of his actions after bringing Cameron down in the first half of the 1-1 draw.

His worst fears were confirmed by his team-mates at the end of the game.

"The first thing I said to the secretary when I came off was will I miss the Brighton game? At that time he wasn't too sure, but the lads told me the suspension would count two weeks later, so that put me in an even worse mood.

"I just stood my ground and when he got a yard away Cameron tried to take the ball around me.

"He went over my arms and went flying as all strikers do. The ref initially gave a free-kick outside the box, but then he awarded a penalty and sent me off.

"I felt a little bit hard done by, because he had overrun the ball and there was a defender as well to clear it. I think a penalty and yellow card would have been harsh enough.

"Cameron had gone from Albion by the time I arrived, but I was playing when he scored against us for Lincoln at the start of last season.

"I remember on that day Micky had told the players to try and wind him up. I know he wasn't considered the best when he was down there.

"It was my first game back after I had been stretchered off against Leyton Orient with a trapped nerve in my calf. I am waiting for a third thing to happen now and I am dreading what that might be."

Ian Dunbavin, who was between the posts when Albion tamed the Shrews 4-0 at Withdean a year ago, will take Cartwright's place in goal.

Cash constraints mean the former Albion man is unlikely even to make the journey on the team coach.

"I don't know if I will be coming, but it's doubtful," Cartwright said. "Because I am banned, they will have to take the young goalie to sit on the bench.

"I think I was the only one who was pleased when the draw was made. Obviously it's a hard game for us, especially with Brighton going so well.

"Things had been going really well for me too. We had a brilliant start and hopefully after my suspension I will get back in the team. By Christmas I am looking to extend my contract, which at the moment is until the end of the season."

Cartwright became Adams' first choice for Albion last season after Michel Kuipers had been substituted at half time in the opening game at Southend.

The former Wrexham shot-stopper's run in the side was interrupted by a hernia problem. He was recalled in February but transfer-listed following a 3-1 defeat at Cheltenham, which turned out to be his last appearance.

Cartwright contributed to the Seagulls' title triumph with six clean sheets in 13 League games.

He is still in regular contact with former living companion Nathan Jones and Kuipers' understudy Will Packham and, strange as it may seem, is grateful to Adams for saving his career.

Cartwright revealed: "Being at Brighton was one of my happiest times in football, even though it didn't work out.

"I was devastated about that, but Micky helped me get another club. I was thinking of packing it in and going back to America where I had been previously to study.

"He was a major factor in changing my mind. I owe him that, because I probably wouldn't be in this country still if it wasn't for the chats I had with him."

Seats for the Shrewsbury tie go on sale to away supporters scheme members and litter patrollers on Monday. Any tickets left will be put on general sale 48 hours later.