Brighton boss Dean Wilkins hit out at supporters after his side were booed off the pitch as Mansfield won 2-1 in the FA Cup third round.The Seagulls came unstuck against the League Two strugglers with first-half goals from Matt Hamshaw and Ian Holmes sandwiching a strike from Alex Revell.

Wilkins said "I'm not saying the reaction was not undeserved, but it is not helpful. I've never seen a team improve through public criticism."

Brighton are still reeling from the loss of experienced players Bas Savage, George O'Callaghan and Matt Richards, and Wilkins added: "At the moment it's as difficult as I've known it. It's not going to be easy rebuilding a team halfway through the season.

"We've got to build again. Things are very difficult at the moment and as this season has been full of ups and downs it's not been easy.

"We've gone out of this competition but we mustn't forget how far we've come this season."

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