Albion boss Micky Adams put one over his former assistant Alan Cork at Withdean last night.

A makeshift Seagulls side inflicted Cork's first defeat as Cardiff manager in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Goals by teenage reserve regular Lee Johnson and stand-in skipper Danny Cullip clinched a place in the southern section second round and stretched Albion's run to just one loss in 19 matches.

Albion made six changes to the team which beat Halifax 2-1 at Withdean on Saturday.

Out of the starting line-up went Rogers, Carpenter, Oatway, Hart, Jones and Zamora.

In came Crosby, Brooker, Steele, Ramsay, Melton and midfielder Johnson.

The latter, the 19-year-old son of Latvian manager Gary Johnson, has been a regular in the Reserves since joining Albion on a non-contract basis from Watford.

The changes meant an entirely new midfield and front line, together with a return to the five-man defence used for most of last season.

Cullip took over the captaincy in the absence of Rogers and Oatway, while among the replacements was trainee Hammond.

Cardiff also made six changes.

Their side included former Albion pair Walton and Nogan and was led by Weston, a recent £300,000 purchase from Arsenal.

Walton, who left the Seagulls in the summer on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, was roundly booed when catching early crosses by Mayo and Steele.

Both teams made a sprightly start, Bonner flashing a shot wide for the visitors from 25 yards in the second minute.

Albion responded with a move launched by Crosby and continued by Ramsay, who found Brooker.He was pursued by a trio of defenders, but still managed to get in an angled shot straight at Walton.

Brooker, given a free role in the middle of midfield, wriggled his way through several challenges before firing straight at Walton again in the eighth minute.

Walton was much the busier of the two keepers in the opening ten minutes.

A long kick by Kuipers released Steele goal-side of a Cardiff defence caught napping, but once more the shot from Steele was comfortable for Albion's former No. 1.

The 13th minute proved lucky for the Seagulls and Johnson in particular on his debut.

Brooker had another effort blocked following a weaving run.

The ball rebounded for Johnson to score with a fine strike from the edge of the area.

Johnson, born in Newmarket and about the right stature for a jockey at five foot six inches, could not have wished for a better beginning to the first senior appearance of his career.

It took Albion only seven minutes to double their advantage from the sort of set-piece routine which has dumbfounded several opponents already this season.

Watson was yet again the pinpoint provider of a free kick from which Cullip escaped inside the box to score with a sprawling header.

Cullip's first of the season was also a perfect way for him to celebrate promotion to the skipper's role.

McCulloch showed his frustration with a rash challenge on Ramsay on 31 minutes, which earned the Cardiff defender the first caution of the contest.

Ramsay should have put the Seagulls further in front three minutes later, but the young striker headed narrowly wide from Steele's cross.

Green became the second Cardiff player to have his name taken in the 37th minute for a tackle from behind on the advancing Brooker.

Cork's impressive record of nine wins and two draws in his first 11 games since taking charge at Ninian Park was under threat against the below-strength Seagulls.

Cardiff made a change at the break, Evans replacing Bonner in midfield.

The Welshmen had evidently been given an ear-bashing by Cork for their lethargic display in the opening 45 minutes, because Albion were pinned inside their own territory in the early stages of the second half.

Youngster Hammond came on for his senior debut at the expense of Watson on 62 minutes.

Hammond slotted into midfield, with Melton switching to rightback.

Nogan capped a nondescript display on his return to Brighton with a 75th-minute booking for trying to find the net when referee North had already whistled for offside.