Albion's young guns bowed out of the FA Youth Cup at Goodison Park last night.

An 18th-minute penalty by Peter Clarke was all that divided the sides as Albion grew in confidence and threatened to force a shock fourth round replay.

But coach Dean Wilkins was disappointed with his side's performance, admitting the big occasion may have got to some of his players.

Wilkins said: "There are things we've been doing that have brought us to this stage, but some of those just went out of the window.

"You still take something out of the game because it was a fantastic experience for the lads. But we've set our sights higher than this.

"I think they were there for the taking."

Everton coach Colin Harvey was more generous to the visitors.

He said: "I think we can play a lot better than that, but credit to Brighton for making it hard for us.

"They worked very hard and were very committed, making it a very tight, difficult game.

"Top marks to them. The club can be very proud."

Playing in such a large stadium for the first time, Albion's youngsters made an understandably nervous start against Harvey's Toffees, winners and semi-finalists in this competition in the last two seasons.

Chances were at a premium in a scrappy opening, although the quality of midfielder Shaun Wilkinson's long passing stood out at times for the visitors.

Albion were just starting to settle when they fell behind following a mistake by captain Adam Davis.

The right-back played a risky pass across the edge of Albion's box, which Nick Chadwick intercepted only to be tripped in the area by Andy Beech.

Albion could have no complaints about the clear-cut penalty, which Clarke confidently converted.

The Seagulls went desperately close to an equaliser on 27 minutes as Wilkinson's header from Dean Hammond's corner was cleared of the line by Tom Kearney.

Home keeper Graham Black comfortably saved a 15-yard header from Wilkinson, watched by first-team boss Micky Adams, chairman Dick Knight and other Albion directors in the 614 crowd.

Wilkinson again went close with a header on 62 minutes after a move involving Stefan Wojciechowski and Hammond, then drove just wide from 25 yards.

Kearney troubled Steve Ades with a 30-yard shot which the Albion keeper fumbled towards goal but grabbed at the second attempt.

There was nothing to choose between the sides in the second half, although Wilkins admitted Albion lacked punch up front.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.