HUGH AND CRY AT FINAL LOSS

CHRIS HUGHTON has bad memories of facing Coventry in the FA Cup.

The Brighton boss played for Tottenham in the 1987 final, when the Sky Blues stunned them 3-2 at Wembley to claim the only major trophy in their history.

And he wants to avoid another cup shock today when his Premier League Seagulls host League Two Coventry in the fifth round.

“We were favourites and Clive Allen scored very early in the game,” said Hughton.

Spirited

“At that stage most thought we would go on and win.

“Clive, Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle, Richard Gough, Gary Mabbutt – we had a lot of top international players. But we came up against a very spirited Coventry side.

“We’d won the cup before but for them it was a massive occasion.

“Whenever I’m around anything to do with Coventry, that’s the one that is always brought back.

“It was brilliant for them but a real difficult one for us. I’d played in the final before and won but it was harder to take for those for whom it would have been their first.”

Hughton didn’t really need a reminder of one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup final history but got one anyway recently.

“I was at Cyrille Regis’s funeral a few weeks ago and he played in that cup final,” said Hughton.

“All the Coventry players who played that day were in attendance and the manager, and the final was something that was spoken about.

“We are at home so we are favourites. But we have all been on the end of lower league clubs coming and giving an incredible account of themselves and coming away winners.”

And he has reminded his players of last season’s 3-1 defeat at non-League Lincoln.

He said: “It’s one that we will bring up. The majority would have been here even if they didn’t play and they will know the effect that game can have on a club.

“It’s a horrible experience and you don’t want to go through it too often.”