Albion will face either Hastings United or Shoreham in the semi-finals of the Sussex Senior Cup after an emphatic 6-0 win over Eastbourne United tonight.

Dean Cox netted a hat-trick, with Nicky Forster, Gary Hart and Lewis Dunk also on target as Albion's second string proved too strong for their County League opponents.

The Seagulls made all the early running in the Culver Road fog, with Jimmy McNulty and Seb Carole both coming close to opening the scoring,

But it was Forster who finally broke the deadlock after 21 minutes when he drilled Steve Brinkhurst's low cross right-footed past Adam Sargent in the Eastbourne goal.

The Seagulls doubled their lead five minutes before the interval when Carole released Cox, and the midfielder skipped past Sargent and kept his composure to notch his first of the night.

Cox then turned provider in first-half stoppage time when he released Hart with a ball over the top, and the striker skilfully lobbed the ball over the on-rushing Sargent.

Hart returned the favour two minutes into the second period, crossing low for Cox to side-foot home from six yards.

Lewis Dunk added a fifth shortly afterwards when he swept the ball into the far corner from Adam Virgo's centre.

Cox completed his hat-trick after 65 minutes when he followed up the rebound after substitute keeper Nick Maynard had saved his initial effort.

Hastings and Shoreham fight it out next Tuesday to decide who will meet the Seagulls in the semi-finals.

Albion: (4-4-2) Walker (GK), Cook, Virgo, Dunk, McNulty; Brinkhurst, Carole (Thomson 70), Smith, Cox; Forster (Wilkins 70), Hart (Barker 63). Subs not used: James (GK), Cooper.