DEAN Cox will dip into the memory bank tonight in the hope of rediscovering his goal touch.

Albion’s miniature winger readily recalls scoring in a 3-2 victory against Swansea at Withdean two years ago.

“Yes, a long ranger, first goal, 13th minute,” he said. “I remember that one because that is my best goal for Brighton.”

Less memorable is the keeper left clutching at thin air that night as Cox’s shot flew past him.

Frenchman Willy Gueret is back in the opposite goal this evening, this time for high-flying MK Dons.

“I didn’t know that,” Cox said. “If I’m playing then maybe I’ll have a pop from long range again. The same outcome would be nice.”

Back then Cox was an automatic pick. It was his eighth goal of an explosive first season in which he ended up with ten.

His fifth goal came a month earlier in a comfortable victory over MK Dons in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

It has been harder going for Cox since then. He still managed a respectable seven goals last season but has scored only twice this season and once in the League, in the home destruction of Millwall.

“That is a disappointment," Cox admitted. “I’ve been a bit greedier in training this week so perhaps I might try having a pop more in games, although Fozzy (Nicky Forster) might not like that!”

Cox is coming to terms with opponents being more familiar with what he is capable of. He no longer has the element of surprise in his armoury.

“They’ve doubled up and there has been a bit more robust defending,” he said. “Some of them have switched centre- halves to right-back to kick me out of the game.

“I’ve got to try and combat that and try different things. I have done that this season, trying to take them wider to create a bit more space.

“I’ve been thinking about it and changing my ways just to adjust to people reading me.

“They are showing me the line more than they would have a couple of seasons ago and if they do that then I’ll run down the line.

“I am still learning, you always are. Nicky Forster says he is still learning and he is 35.

“It’s my third season and I am just happy to be in and around the scene and enjoying myself.”

Cox has been less of a regular under Micky Adams, in the face of considerable competition for the wide positions.

His approach is more relaxed and mature than last season, when he was dropped after a couple of run-ins with former manager Dean Wilkins.

“I think the word is different,” Cox said. “I’ve been in and out of the side and I’ve had to fight for my place, which I don’t mind doing.

“Some good players have come into the club on loan, the likes of Joe Anyinsah and Kevin Thornton.

“The gaffer picks his team and if I’m not in it I’m not in it. I’m not going to mope around. I’ve learnt my lesson from last year.

“I am just going to get on with it and try to get into his plans.”

Anyinsah’s loan spell ends tonight, which improves Cox’s prospects of a run in the side between now and the January transfer window.

He will still be sorry to see the Preston winger go. “He’s been brilliant,” said Cox. “He’s scored a couple of goals and he’s got that pace. He is always a threat from balls in behind and running at players.

“Around the place he is a good lad as well and I have a good laugh with him.”

Cox will be laughing even more if he can get the better of Gueret again.