
Wealdstone exit the National League Cup after defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion U21s.
Cam Peupion scored the only goal of the game, tapping home after 69 minutes.
Matt Taylor made ample changes to the side that faced Hartlepool United at the weekend with just Enzio Boldewijn and Taylor Clark keeping their place. Returning for his second loan spell with the Stones, Connor McAvoy slotted straight into the starting XI, having joined from Fulham.
The Stones began the game brightly, almost going ahead after just three minutes when Christian Scott's direct free-kick forced a diving save out of Hugo Fisher.
The first 30 minutes were played in essence of a chess match, with both teams looking for the final ball to create an opening.
The visitors were the team to create the next big chance of the game, 32 minutes in, when Marcus Ifill looked to send an improvised effort towards goal, only to hit his effort high and wide.
Just minutes later, Ifill came close to opening the scoring when a clever cut-back found him in the area, only for a last minute block to deny him an opener.
Looking to go ahead just before the break, the Stones looked to create an opening when Craig Eastmond found space just outside the box, only to hit his effort high and wide.
The Seagulls came out for the second-half looking to make an instant impact. Striker Ifill was once again in the thick of things, finding himself through on goal after just one minute, but could only fire his effort over.
Having gone close early on from a free-kick, Scott fancied his chances once again from a set-piece, 58 minutes in. His curling effort forced a diving save out of Fisher.
As the Stones were beginning to find their grove, the visitors waited patiently for their chance to counter. with 69 minutes played, Brighton mounted a quick break down the left-flank, fizzing ball into the path of Peupion to tap home.
Both sides continued to battle it out, but the Stones were unable to make their own breakthrough on the day.
Now out of the National League Cup, Taylor's side travel to face AFC Fylde on Saturday in the National League.
WEALDSTONE XI: Steward (GK) (Baptiste 46'), Boldewijn (Phillips 46'), Dyer, (Grant 58') McAvoy (Georgiou 46'), Scott, Eastmond, Clark, Mason, Obiero (Andrews 75'), Sekyere, Trialist.