It was a 7.30am start in the gathering gloom at the Macron for the longest trip of the season.

A full English breakfast at Warwick services lifted our spirits in the company of thousands of Castleford fans on their way to the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final.

Despite the joys of the M25 on a bank holiday, we arrived at the Amex stadium in good time to a nice welcome from bar staff dressed in BWFC T-shirts and leaflets, thanking us for making the 546-mile round trip to enjoy the game and have a safe trip home.

Unfortunately Brighton need to work on the quality of their overpriced beer as £7.50 for a pie and a pint hardly constitutes a bargain.

This was a mixed performance with both teams enjoying periods of dominance. We weathered the early Brighton storm and then got on top.

It was no surprise when Matt Mills headed us in front. However, these days our defence find it difficult to hold their breath, never mind a lead.

Brighton duly equalised just before half-time, through Craig Mackail-Smith. In the process, we lost Adam Bogdan with a head injury.

We started the second half well until Joao Teixeira scored against the run of play. Then we ran out of ideas.

We sadly lack anyone who can direct and dictate play on the pitch. Heads went down on and off the field as the feeling of déjà vu grew.

We cannot afford another bad start and yet we are having one. The only bright spark was the performance of young Hadyen White.

On the return journey, we met up with the Castleford fans again and shared our commiserations for the day.

The only difference was that the Castleford fans were proud of what their club has achieved over the past year.