Brighton off to island retreat

RUPERT METCALF

Liam Brady's Brighton and Hove Albion side will travel to south Essex next month to take on a team who have already suffered one defeat in the FA Cup this season.

Yesterday's draw for the first round gave the Seagulls an away tie at Canvey Island, from the Second Division of the Icis (Isthmian) League, who lost 1-0 at King's Lynn in the third qualifying round but were re-instated after it was discovered that the Norfolk club had fielded an ineligible player. Canvey made the most of their reprieve by beating Hednesford, who are chasing the GM Vauxhall Conference title, in Saturday's fourth qualifying round.

Brady's bunch will be meeting a side full of experience, including Perry Groves, once of Arsenal, the former Colchester player-manager Roy McDonough, and John Keeley, a goalkeeper who includes Brighton among several previous clubs.

Other highlights include Hitchin Town, another Icis League side, at home to Bristol Rovers; and Plymouth Argyle's trip to Slough, where they will face two of their former players, Andy Clement and Mark Fiore. Wigan Athletic will not fancy the short journey to Runcorn, while Purfleet and Rushden replay tomorrow for the right to entertain Cardiff City.

Draw, Sporting Digest, page 24