Albion booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup following victory against a spirited Dover Athletic side.
As the only non-league side left in this season’s competition, the visitors had played six games prior to their visit to Lancing and put in a good account of themselves on a bitterly cold evening.
A first-half brace from Bailey Smith seemingly put Albion in control, but Dover sub Tim Marapara made it a less comfortable final half-hour for the young Seagulls.
In an even opening to the game, Athletic were happy to concede possession but pressed well and were industrious in the challenge.
Albion then started to move up the gears and got their rewards on 18 minutes when Smith latched on to Eliot Jenks’ superb through ball before coolly tucking home his fourth of the season.
The hosts continued to dominate possession, with Remiero Moulton and Jake Gee seeing plenty of the ball down the flanks. It was Moulton who then came close to doubling the lead when his left-footed effort from the edge of the box curled narrowly wide of keeper Alfie Irvine’s upright.
Irvine was called into action soon after, saving Joe Knight’s 20-yard free-kick, but he was at fault for Albion’s second in the 37th minute, misjudging the flight of Gee’s deep cross as Smith nipped in to glance home.
Matthew Holness had Dover’s first real effort at goal shortly before half-time, ghosting in to volley over, while Bailey almost grabbed his hat-trick moments later with a strong run and strike at goal, which was well saved by Irvine.
Albion continued in the ascendancy after the break and should have scored when Moulton pounced on a slip by Blue Landau, but Irvine was quick off his line to smother.
The lively Moulton curled another effort narrowly wide on 56 minutes, while Smith saw his low drive cannon back off a post after he was played in by Gee.
Albion were left to rue those misses when an under-hit backpass from Harry Mills was intercepted by Marapara, who tucked home past the advancing Tommy Reid.
Where Albion were in full control, the tie became more tetchy, more feisty, and Marapara went close to an equaliser, only to see his shot on the turn deflected over for a corner.
At the other end, Moulton’s frustrating night in front of goal continued when his dipping effort was tipped over by Irvine, while Jenks flashed a ball across the face of goal which eluded everyone.
The final whistle blew soon after with Albion having booked a trip to Manchester City in round four, while Dover left the field with their heads held high.
Albion: Reid, Lee, Tasker, Penman, Mills, Albarus, Gee, Knight (61 Bashir), Jenks, Moulton, Smith. Subs not used: Ferdinand, Fuller, Ryan, Owusu, Gulzar, West.