Simon Rusk has set the next challenge for his Albion youngsters.

And he will be quite happy if they respond at the Dripping Pan tonight.

The Seagulls’ under-23s’ very varied fixture list sends them to Lewes to kick off their defence of the Sussex Senior Cup.

For all the undeniable charms of the Rooks’ home ground, the surroundings will be a lot different to Albion’s most recent outing when they beat MK Dons at Stadium MK.

A 3-2 success there took them to four match points from Checkatrade Trophy trips to Luton, Peterborough and Milton Keynes and they came within a goal of reaching the last 32.

Albion showed quality and a lot of resilience in those three testing fixtures.

But he was not impressed with how they dug themselves holes out of which to climb.

They trailed 2-0 at Luton before going down 2-1.

Then they were 2-0 down at Posh before securing a 2-2 draw and winning a shoot-out.

Last week, they twice trailed at Stadium MK before taking total command in the second period.

Rusk loves their character and poise on the ball even when things aren’t going well.

But he told The Argus: “What I’ve said to the boys is we want to have the highest standards and the goals we conceded (at Milton Keynes) were really disappointing.

“We will ask the players to look at that.

“But some of our play was excellent. We were worthy of the win.

“It’s about weighing up positives and looking at things that weren’t quite right.”

Albion have claimed Benfica B and Manchester City under-23s among their more impressive scalps this term.

But the key for Rusk is that they also learn from their mistakes.

He said: “We can’t keep going a goal behind.

“If the boys want to have a top career they have got to step on to that pitch and do the job from the off.

“You have got to be switched in and you have got to be professional “You have got to be focused and you can’t give yourself uphill battles to climb.

“You need to go out being focused, delivering a clean sheet and taking the lead and then controlling the game. That is why we were are development squad.

“We will go away and coach things and the players will look at that part of it. That is what I will be encouraging the players to think about.”

Lewes were promoted to Bostik premier at the end of last season.

Their predominantly young side have made a bright start in the seventh tier but were disappointing on Saturday when they lost 1-0 at home to Haringey Borough.

They have enjoyed themselves in knockout ties this term, getting through three qualifying rounds of the FA Cup – all after replays after drawing on the road.

Manager Darren Freeman, the former Albion striker, was unhappy with their performance against Haringey.

He also questioned whether he had made the correct team selection.

But the club will look forward to tonight’s tie, the winners of which will visit Hastings in the third round.

Freeman said: “Brighton have a good side and they will allow us to play, I’m sure.”

Admission tonight costs £12 for adults and £6 concessions. Under-16s get in are free. Lewes produce a digital match programme which can be accessed via their website and Twitter feed.