Gillingham could be the first team to play a senior competitive match at Brighton's new Amex Community Stadium at Falmer.

The Gills were handed a first round trip to Championship Brighton in the Carling Cup draw which was announced on Thursday.

If the Seagulls are handed an away start when their league campaign is announced on Friday then the Gills will be the first senior side to meet them at their new home.

Assistant boss Ian Hendon said: "It could easily be the first game at their new ground.

"It's a good draw for us, a great ground to visit and hopefully a 20,000 crowd to watch the game, even in the early stages of the competition."

Hendon admitted that while clubs tend to play weakened teams in the Carling Cup, Brighton will be keen to get off to a winning start in their new home.

"They are a decent side and it's a good game but the downside is that they will want to win it and will probably field a full-strength team as it will be a massive occasion for them."

Gillingham last met Brighton in the League Cup in 1999/2000 when they won 4-0 on aggregate, after winning both games 2-0 when the competition was in a two-legged format.

Nicky Southall and Robert Taylor scored in the home game after a Mark Omerod own goal and Andy Hessenthaler netted in a 2-0 away first leg win which also saw Adrian Pennock sent-off.