But he took a lot from the way they went into a 2-0 lead.
Yankuba Minteh scored twice and should have had more in what looked a serene stroll for the Seagulls for much of the afternoon.
Albion, who finished the match with a youthful line-up, conceded two goals in quick time to a deflection and a penalty and were spared a defeat by the width of a post.
Head coach Hurzeler said: “In the end with the result we can’t be happy.
“We showed for 70 minutes a really good performance.
“We dominated, we were good out of possession.
“We created a lot of chances. And then we lost the game within five minutes.
“We have to analyse it, to speak about it and then we have to make it better next time.”
Jan Paul van Hecke, Matt O’Riley and Jason Steele played full games and Hurzeler did not make changes until well into the second half.
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He said: “We are capable of playing 90 minutes, some of the players.
“We had a good shape. We performed well for 70 minutes.
“Now it is about getting the details right and I am quite looking forward to starting the Premier League.”