The Lilywhites and the Seagulls have never met in the League Cup before, so we go back 15 years to a league encounter to look back on a memorable clash on a special day.
It was April 5th 2005, as Sir Tom Finney celebrated his 83rd birthday in style, as Billy Davies’ North End put on a show in front of the former club and England legend.
The Play-Off chasing Lilywhites proved too good for ten-man Brighton, putting in a rampant display.
Graham Alexander opened the scoring with a penalty, after being fouled himself by Gary Hart, who was sent off in the incident; the opener coming just before the half-hour mark.
Brighton's poor marking allowed Richard Cresswell to head home Eddie Lewis' cross from the left wing in the closing seconds of the half to double the advantage.
And in the early stages second half, Paul McKenna found space to set up David Nugent to stroke home and wrap up the victory with more than half an hour still to go.
North End manager Davies said post-match: “It was a very, very good performance, obviously. We scored some great goals. We had to be patient at the beginning of the game. Patience was the key.
“We passed the ball very well and showed a lot of composure. It was important we kept passing and moving the ball and use the full width of the field.”
Seagulls manager Mark McGhee added: “Even with 11 we were playing against a team playing well. Gary Hart said he tripped the boy. We thought it was very hard, but the referee felt he had no choice.
“We've now lost six in a row. If you're going to get 44 points, as we have now, you're going to go down. So, it's in our own hands now.”
PNE line-up: Nash, Alexander (Davis, 80), Lucketti, Mawene, Davidson, Sedgwick (Agyemang, 73), McKenna, O'Neil (Folly, 84), Lewis, Nugent, Cresswell. Subs not used: Ward, Hill.
Brighton & Hove Albion line-up: Blayney, Reid, Butters, Dolan (El-Abd, 65), Harding, Hart, Oatway, Carpenter, Hammond (McCammon, 52), Jones (Knight, 52), Virgo. Subs not used: Nicolas, Shaaban.
Attendance: 14,234
Referee: Mr P Prosser (West Yorkshire)