Perhaps Albion should abandon the move to Falmer and remain at Withdean.

Before I am pilloried I am, of course, only joking.

Partly joking anyway, because there is one respect in which Albion will sorely miss dear old Withdean.

This latest hard earned victory, secured by a sweet strike from Richard Carpenter, was their 65th in 109 matches since moving in five summers ago.

The Seagulls have been beaten at their much criticised temporary abode just 21 times and six of those were in succession during that horror sequence at the start of last season.

It is a formidable record on which all of their promotion challenges have been based and one which will be devilishly difficult to emulate in the spanking surroundings proposed at Falmer.

Manchester City are the latest victims of the new stadium curse, just two home wins in the Premiership all season.

While Albion have become accustomed to their humble surroundings, Withdean with its uncovered seating, Portakabin-style dressing rooms and absence of atmosphere is uniquely unattractive to visitors.

Not even the arrival of Albion's bogey opponents last night could dent the trend.

Brentford had triumphed on their only previous trip and won each of the two clashes which followed at Griffin Park 4-0.

Albion have developed a useful habit of scoring early goals in recent home games.

A breakthrough did not materialise on this occasion but they came pretty close.

Adam Virgo, fresh from the first senior goal of his career at Stockport, had appeals for a penalty when his shot was blocked following a free-kick.

Gary Hart, who ended a five month famine in the previous home match against Bournemouth, almost lived up to his promise to be more prolific.

Fed by Leon Knight, his shot on the run from just inside the area struck the far upright with Stuart Nelson beaten.

Brentford manager Wally Downes adopted a cautious approach, bringing Matt Somner straight back from a suspension to strengthen the defence.

The visitors held firm at the back in the opening half hour and twice came close themselves from set pieces.

The on-loan Ben May, given his League debut by Albion manager Mark McGhee last season when he was in charge of Millwall, headed narrowly wide at the near post from a corner.

Albion were also rescued by the woodwork when a curling free-kick by Stephen Evans from 25 yards hit the crossbar.

Several members of the Brentford Supporters' Trust had made their way to the match by bike after reaching an agreement earlier in the day to buy out the West London club's controversial owner Ron Noades.

They must have felt the effort had been worthwhile as Brentford displayed similar determination to frustrate the Seagulls.

When Albion did find a way through they found Nelson, making his League bow in goal for Brentford, in confident form.

The keeper came smartly off his line to foil Trevor Benjamin when Hart laid a cross from Knight invitingly into the path of the muscular loan striker from Leicester.

As the match wore on so the pitch became frostier but all conditions seem to come the same to Dan Harding.

The young leftback, outstanding on the sandy surface at Stockport, is making it difficult for Kerry Mayo to regain his place.

Harding demonstrated his confidence early in the second half, combining with Knight before attempting an audacious curler from outside the area which was held by Nelson.

A touch of quality was required to end Brentford's stubborn resistance and Carpenter obliged in the 56th minute.

Benjamin started the move by spreading the play to Nathan Jones on the left wing. His cross was met first time by Carpenter with a low drive into the corner of the net from 20 yards, his first goal of the year.

While Carpenter had cause to celebrate, it was not a good night for Knight.

The 21-goal marksman, returning from a one-match ban, did not look impressed with McGhee's decision to replace him with the 17-year-old Jake Robinson midway through the second half.

Brentford, to their credit, refused to fold. Tommy Wright, on loan from Leicester, should have equalised when he directed a close range header from a free-kick straight at Ben Roberts.

A more difficult header from longer range by Brentford captain Michael Dobson moments later forced Roberts into his one serious save of the evening.

Nelson's debut was ruined with four minutes left when he was sent off for bundling over Robinson outside his area.

Midfielder Stuart Talbot had to go in goal as Brentford had already used all three substitutes.

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Roberts (gk) 7; Cullip (cd) 7, Knight (f) 6, Hart (rm) 8, Oatway (cm) 7, Carpenter (cm) 8, Butters (cd) 7, Jones (lm) 7, Benjamin (f) 7, Virgo (rb) 7, Harding (lb) 8. Subs: Mayo for Jones (withdrawn 79), Piercy, El-Abd, S. Jones, Robinson for Knight (withdrawn 66).
  • Booking: Carpenter (49, foul).
  • Scorer: Carpenter (56).
  • BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Nelson; Dobson, Somner, Talbot, Sonko, Evans, Frampton, Hutchinson, May, Wright, Bull. Subs: Tabb for Evans (withdrawn 75), O'Connor for Wright (withdrawn 76), Julian, Rougier, Kitamirike for Frampton (injured 65).
  • Booking: O'Connor (90, dissent).
  • Half-Time: Albion 0 Brentford 0.
  • Attendance: 6,007.
  • Fans' View: DEREK OLIVER (Maresfield) We are basically a mediocre team in a very poor division and our football was once again awful. Our midfield lacks creativity and the front two of Benjamin and Knight appear to have lost interest. You couldn't argue if they were both dropped but unfortunately I don't think McGhee has got the guts to do that.

ROBERT JAMES (Horsham) Dan Harding had another good game and the defence was solid enough, just about, but it was generally another poor performance. Benjamin was poor and Knight was quiet, although they didn't get much service.

PAUL SPARROW (Horley) The good thing is that we got three points but it was a very disjointed game against a poor Brentford side. The sending off once again seemed to inspire the ten men.

COLIN SOUTH (Hassocks) Our performance was patchy and we will have to improve to make the play-offs. Leon was a bit quiet and keeps being quiet, although I don't think McGhee will drop him. Carpenter's goal was an excellent strike out of keeping with our general efforts.