By Paul Camillin, at the Broadfield Stadium

A stunning 76th-minute strike from George Barker secured a 2-1 Albion win in a pulsating Sussex Senior Cup third round encounter with Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium.

A crowd of 524 watched the Albion scholar's stunning solo goal, which saw off a determined challenge from a Crawley side including eight players from the squad who played at Kettering on Saturday in the Blue Square Premier.

Gary Hart opened the scoring in the 12th minute after great play from Jamie Smith; the Albion midfielder skipped through a couple of challenges, but saw his shot well saved by Nick Jordan. Crawley could only half clear Smith's effort, and eventually the ball fell to Hart, who drilled a low shot past Jordan.

The home side hit back within three minutes, as Danny Forrest's firm downward header - possibly with the aid of a touch from Lewis Killeen - beat Josh Pelling low to his left.

Moments later Barker spurned an opportunity to restore Albion's lead, but headed narrowly wide from Kevin McLeod's inviting left-wing centre.

Pelling made an impressive double save parrying Killeen's long-range effort and then saving bravely at the feet of Ben King, before former Peterborough striker Calum Willock shot over.

The entertainment continued in the second half, with Hart firing over from close range after good work from Barker down the left; while Jordan had to be alert to McLeod's left-footed shot from 25 yards out.

Barker struck his wonder goal with 14 minutes left to play. Picking the ball up in midfield he ran at Crawley's defence, skipping past defenders at will, before unleashing a brilliant left-footed shot into the top left corner.

Ben Smith fired narrowly wide for Crawley with less than five minutes left to play, and Michael Malcolm went close with a curling free kick in stoppage time - but Albion held out to secure a home fourth round tie against Eastbourne United.

Albion first team coach Charlie Oatway was happy with his side's performance. He told seagulls.co.uk, "It was a great winning goal by George Barker and a very professional performance by everybody, the senior pros and the youngsters.

"I thought the two centre-backs (Lewis Dunk and Grant Hall) were great. Crawley were a well-organsied side so our younger players had to stand up and be counted, and that is what they did."

Albion: (4-4-2) Pelling, Whing, Dunk, Hall, James Smith; Brinkhurst, Livermore, Jamie Smith, McLeod; Barker, Hart. Subs not used: Walker (GK), Thomson, Sheriff, Strong, Hayward.