Shane Nti scored twice for Albion under-21s (Image: BHAFC/James Boardman)
Shane Nti scored twice for Albion under-21s (Image: BHAFC/James Boardman)
Shane Nti scored twice and Tyler Silsby added a superb free-kick for Albion under-21s.
But they were sent towards a 4-3 defeat at Gillingham by an unusual penalty award.
The Seagulls were 4-0 down 50 minutes into their second group fixture of the EFL Trophy campaign.
Gillingham’s opening goal on 32 minutes came from a spot-kick awarded when defender Ben Barclay placed the ball for a goal-kick with his hand.
It was ruled goalkeeper Steven Hall had already taken the goal-kick as he played the ball to Barclay.
While the moment was not captured by TV coverage and many fans would have been looking elsewhere on the pitch, it appears similar to the incident which saw Arsenal’s women concede a penalty in a recent Champions League fixture.
Amid confusion around Priestfield, a spot-kick was awarded and Tom Eaves confidently sent Hall the wrong way.
Although Albion created moments of danger, the evening started to cave in on them at the other end of the field.
Bradley Dack and Ethan Coleman scored before half-time and the Gills made it four shortly after the break through Louie Dayal.
Nti quickly pulled one back when he turned the ball home sharply after Kofi Shaw had played it towards goal.
There was a fine second for Nti on 70 minutes as he curled an effort over the keeper to cap a move which included a superb first touch from Miah Oriola.
Substitute Valentin Joseph flashed a low shot across the face of goal as the Seagulls continued to play some good stuff.
Time had run out in terms of snatching a point by the time they scored their third.
Silsby, who had looked likely, spotted the ball up 25 yards out after a handball and his free-kick was hit with pace and curl as it found the top corner.
Albion already had three points in the bank after a 3-0 win at Northampton.
Cambridge have taken top spot in the group on six points and they host Shannon Ruth’s side next month.
Albion and Gillingham are both on three points and Northampton zero with two of the four sides going through.
The next test for the Seagulls is at home to Bournemouth in Premier League 2 on Sunday.
Albion under-21s: Hall; Mackley, Barclay, T Ferdinand, Keogh (West 63); Lane (Kasvosve 63), Nti; Silsby, Shaw, Oriola; Munday (Joseph 63).
Unused subs: Dike, H Palmer, B Palmer, Alakiu.