Afternoon all. The Premier League is great but there is something about third-round weekend in the FA Cup that is a bit special, isn't there? Here, we kick things off with Brighton vs. Newcastle.

Right, we've got around 30 minutes until this one gets off and running. Before we get into the facts and figures, the teams news is out...

BRIGHTON XI: Ankergren; David, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge; Bridcutt, Hammond, Dicker, Orlandi; Barnes, Mackail-Smith

The main omission for the home team is former Valencia and Spain winger Vicente, who has a thigh problem. However, Will Buckley has shaken off a hamstring injury to take his place among the substitutes. On the pitch, Ashley Barnes will partner Craig Mackail-Smith in attack.

NEWCASTLE XI: Elliot; Tavernier, Williamson, Perch, Santon; Anita, Bigirimana, Obertan, Abeid; Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi

The cupboard really looks bare for Alan Pardew at the moment. The manager has a lot of injuries to contend with, although he has still made five changes to his starting lineup for this clash. Rob Elliot is given a rare start in goal, while Sammy Ameobi partners his brother Shola up front. Fabricio Coloccini and Papiss Cisse have been left out of the squad completely, while new signing Mathieu Debuchy is not eligible to make his debut.

Before we go any further, let's pay tribute to all the Newcastle supporters that have made the trip today for a 12.30pm start! A quick AA Route Planner check says that there are 346 miles between the two places, which should take around six hours! I understand that this is a TV match, but that's madness!

It's also doubtful that they will have made the trip with much hope of picking up a positive result. Out of their last six Premier League matches, they have lost five. It's that form that resulted in former player and manager Kevin Keegan telling Sports Mole that he could see the Magpies losing out today.

Here is some of what Keegan told us ahead of this tie:

"One of the places that Pardew wouldn't want to go is down to Brighton. They went there last year with a better team and in good form and still got beat. All those fears will be going not just through his mind, but the players' as well. Players worry when they get on the team coach and they are three of four players short. It's a long journey for the fans. They will make the trip, don't get me wrong, but it will be with a lot of trepidation. I could see an upset. Where they are with injuries to players – do they want a replay or another match with the squad he's got?

"Publicly he would say 'yes' but privately if he got back on the coach and they've played well and got beat he may think 'now the team can pull themselves out away from relegation and into a comfort zone'."

Incidentally, you can read our full interview with Keegan here.

One player that will be familiar to Newcastle is Kazenga LuaLua, who spent four years on Tyneside up until 2011. He is on the bench for Brighton today, but he comes on to score, he has vowed not to celebrate:

"I don't think I'll celebrate if I score because Newcastle are the team that gave me my professional contract so out of respect for the fans and the club as well I don't think it's the right thing if I celebrate," said LuaLua. "I have a nice celebration worked out but I won't tell you what it is!"

Staying with Brighton - they have a very dangerous striker in Craig Mackail-Smith. The Scottish international has been in good form this season, having found the net 11 times in the Championship. Who knows, a good performance today could alert a couple of Premier League clubs to his ability. Funnily enough, following the sale of Demba Ba to Chelsea, Newcastle are looking...

We've just heard from Pardew, who has been talking about his team to ITV Sport.

"I think I want to see energy on the pitch. It's a cup competition and a completely different atmosphere. We've got a young team and need to grasp that quickly."

Right, here come the players. There is a good atmosphere inside The Amex today. Not long now until we are off and running in Sussex.

So, Brighton, kicking from right to left, get the FA Cup weekend underway. Game on...

It's been a positive start from the hosting Seagulls. Both Dean Hammond and Ashley Barnes have had half-chances, but neither were able to get a shot on target. Newcastle have yet to show anything.

Newcastle's first venture forward almost ends with a lucky goal. Gabriel Obertan weighs up his options on the right and opts to cross. The ball takes a wicked deflection and looks to be heading for the net until Brighton goalkeeper Casper Ankergren gets across his line to hold.

OFF THE LINE! Brighton were inches away from taking the lead a moment ago. David Lopez's deep cross is met by Gary Dicker, who lifts a header over Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot. Thankfully for the away team, James Perch retreated enough to head clear the danger.

It's just not happening for Newcastle at the moment. Whenever they do manage to get hold of the ball, the passing is poor and Brighton quickly regain possession. Poyet will be eager for his side to score while they are on top.

If memory serves me correctly, Sammy Ameobi is primarily a striker. However, at the moment he is playing wide on the right and because of all the possession that Brighton are having, he's spending a lot of his time defending. Seems like such a waste because he has shown in flashes this season how dangerous he can be.

Their side may not be playing too well at the moment, but that hasn't stopped the Newcastle fans making a lot of noise! They really are a credit to their club. There are some reports that a number of them left home at 1am!

SAVE! At last Newcastle have had a shot at goal. It was Gael Bigirimana that had the effort from 25 yards out, but Ankergren gets two strong hands behind the ball and manages to punch clear.

BOOKING! First yellow card of the afternoon goes to Brighton's Hammond for a foul on Shola Ameobi during the Newcastle attack that resulted in that chance.

Fair point from Mirror Sport on Twitter:

"ITV going on about the coaches leaving early this morning from Newcastle... THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO IF YOU HADN'T CHANGED THE KICKOFF!"

It seems that Newcastle's gameplan centres around lumping the ball into the penalty area and hoping that Shola Ameobi can cause havoc. So far, he's failed to do so. In fairness to him though, the crossing has not been great.

That is a really good goal for Brighton. First Wayne Bridge does really well to send over a cross from the left on the byline. It drops to Andrea Orlandi, whose first touch forces him away from goal. However, the former Swansea City midfielder shows great skill to swivel instantly and volley beyond a diving Elliot from 10 yards out. On the balance of play, they deserve that.

In reply, Shola Ameobi has driven a shot straight at Ankergren, while Vurnon Anita has sent a rising effort from distance that will have worried the supporter in row Z. Newcastle really need to step it up.

BOOKING! It's now one yellow card apiece as Newcastle's Abeid is cautioned for a sliding challenge on Hammond. To be honest, it looked as though the Newcastle youngster got the ball. That's a poor decision from referee Lee Probert.

Pardew is currently stalking to touchline and is trying to get some messages through to his players. Hopefully they contain more than just continue lumping it up to the Ameobi brothers!

There will be a minimum of one minute added time at The Amex...

Well, if you asked somebody who didn't know these two teams which is the Premier League outfit, most would say Brighton. They haven't been brilliant by any means, but at the same time they haven't needed to be. It was important that they scored while they were on top.

Whereas Newcastle have done very little on the ball so far. It's been all long ball, most of which have failed to hit their intended target. Granted they have a number of injuries, but the 11 players out there look like strangers. It's going be a big half-time team talk for Pardew.

Here is what Craig Burley has had to say about the match to BBC Radio Five Live:

"It has been comfortable for Brighton. They can even play better for me if they start playing the ball up quicker to striker Craig Mackail-Smith as that could cause real problems for Newcastle centre-back James Perch.

"Newcastle must get someone on Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt as he is dictating the game. He is a youngster that I am sure the watching Premier League scouts are very impressed with.

"Worryingly, I do not know how things can improve for Newcastle."

Got to say that is hard to disagree with Burley's opinion. Pardew will turn and look at his bench and see that Brighton's replacements are probably stronger. He needs the players that are on the pitch to improve.

SUBSTITUTION: Pardew has reacted by making two changes at the break. Nile Ranger and Paul Dummett take the places of Perch and Abeid. Meanwhile, the second half is underway...

Well, as yet, the changes have not made a lot of difference. It's been all Brighton so far, although they have yet to test Elliot this half.

CHANCE! Not content with just one goal, Orlandi has just gone in search of a second. However, his right-footed effort from 25 yards out goes sailing over Elliot's crossbar. It could have been a different story had the ball dropped to the Spaniard's stronger left foot.

CHANCE! Oh dear Nile Ranger. A deep free kick drops to the 21-year-old on volley just eight yards from goal, but his effort almost hits the top of the stand! It didn't look possible for him to send it that high from there!

SUBSTITUTION: First swap for Brighton as goalscorer Orlandi is replaced by former Newcastle attacker Kazenga LuaLua. He got a big cheer from both sets of supporters there.

It goes from bad to worse from Newcastle. It's harsh on Shola Ameobi, but he does make a slight connection with Lopez and Probert hands him his second yellow card. What's more, that means he will now be suspended for Newcastle's crucial Premier League clash with Norwich City. Where do they go from here?

Again on BBC Radio Five Live, Burley has summed up Ameobi's red card:

"I think Shola Ameobi has had a bee in his bonnet since half time. Maybe there was a bit of exaggeration from David Lopez but you have to be careful about what challenges you make when you are on a yellow card.

"It is one of the softest yellow cards you are likely to see, it was hardly a tackle. But, he gave a decision to referee Lee Probert to make."

SUBSTITUTION: The hard-working Mackail-Smith is replaced by Will Hoskins for Brighton, while Obertan takes his leave for Newcastle and on comes Sylvain Marveaux.

CHANCE! Another sight of goal for Ranger as he gets his head to a knock-down from Mike Williamson. Unfortunately for Newcastle, the striker's effort goes just over the crossbar. It's not pretty, but Newcastle are beginning to get on top.

Newcastle are now beginning to supply some real pressure on Brighton. Better late than never I suppose but they may have left themselves a little too much to do here. We shall see...

SUBSTITUTION: Third and final swap for Brighton as Hammond is replaced by Welsh international midfielder Andrew Crofts. Hammond put in a real shift for his team today.

CHANCE! LuaLua goes extremely close to scoring against his former employers. A quick corner routine finds the attacker, who cuts inside before dragging his shot from just outside the area into the side netting. Elliot got across his goal but he may not have saved that had it been on target.

Game over! It's poor defending from Williamson, who gets the wrong side of Hoskins. The substitute held his line well, latched onto a through ball from Lopez and slotted the ball underneath an advancing Elliot. It's going to be a long trip back to Newcastle for their supporters now!

SAVE! A chance for Newcastle to set up a nervy ending goes a begging as Ameobi plays in Ranger, but the striker sees his lofted effort palmed to safety by Ankergren in the home net.

There will be a minimum of three minutes of stoppage time here...

So, for the second year in succession Brighton have dumped Newcastle out of the FA Cup and you have to say that it is fully deserved. From the first whistle they were the better side and in the end they made the most of their domination. There will not be many teams that fancy a trip to The Amex in the next round.

The only positive for Newcastle is that they can now concentrate on preserving their Premier League status. Once they get their injured players back they should be okay, but it's all about putting points on the board. The less said about today, the better!

Thanks for joining our coverage this afternoon and feel free to stick with Sports Mole over the course of the day for further commentaries, match reports and reaction from matches at home and abroad. That's all we have time for from The Amex - thanks again.