FA Cup: Brighton 0 West Brom 0 - Report and pictures
Although neither side would have wanted a replay, the fixture congestion can be tackled another time.
Because today is the time to celebrate an impressively mature and composed performance from a young Baggies second string against Premier League opposition.
Although both sides smacked the woodwork, both sides also lacked cutting edge, which is why they will be doing this all again at The Hawthorns.
But it was way Albion's youngsters held their own against top tier opposition in the first ever FA Cup meeting between these two sides that hints at a bright future for this club.
At one stage, they had five academy products on the pitch, all between the ages of 18 and 20. They started with four.
Sam Field, Kyle Edwards and Rekeem Harper held their own as a midfield trio, while the back four behind them were in imperious mood.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Kyle Bartley, Conor Towsend and Tyrone Mears may never have played this well in Albion colours.
But it was goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, who now has two clean sheets in two Baggies games, who arguably shone the brightest, pulling off save after save to deny the hosts.
Darren Moore rewarded his second string for getting through the third round against Wigan by keeping faith in them - and they rewarded him with a performance to match.
He named seven academy products in the squad, and fielded four of them from the start.
Only Rekeem Harper and Hal Robson-Kanu, who was handed the armband, survived from the starting line-up that beat Bolton Wanderers on Monday .
It was the first meeting between these two sides since Brighton defender Gaetan Bong accused Jay Rodriguez of racism at The Hawthorns just over 12 months ago.
But neither player was named in either squad, as both managers took the sensible diplomatic decision to leave the pot unstirred.
With Wes Hoolahan deployed in the same false nine position that proved so successful against Wigan, Moore named a young midfield trio of academy graduates.
And they were up against it in the early stages, when Brighton's Yves Bissouma was sparkling.
The hosts were trying to get Anthony Knockaert on the ball as much as possible, and 15 minutes in he curled a shot over the bar.
But Conor Townsend was standing up to the test, and Sam Field - who was holding in midfield - drifted over to cover when necessary.
Jonathan Leko and Hal Robson-Kanu couldn't get the ball to stick up front, while Hoolahan was dropping deep to pick up possession.
There was little action in either box until the 20th minute, when Brighton had a penalty appeal waved away after Knockaert went to ground too easily under a soft challenge from Tyrone Mears.
Bissouma stung Jonathan Bond's palms from range soon after before chances at both end.
Knockaert missed the ball completely when Bruno pulled it back to him on the edge of the area before Albion flew up the other end - after tidy work from Hoolahan - Leko burst into the box before curling wide.
But the hosts looked more likely to score, and half an hour in, Bond had to keep his eyes on a dipping long-range shot from Knockaert before Adarabioyo hacked clear the danger.
Bissouma grazed the top of the bar with a 30-yard strike before Shane Duffy's header from a corner bounced wide as the Seagulls looked to turn the screw.
The Baggies held on until half-time, and started the second half brightly.
Robson-Kanu fashioned a chance for Hoolahan after robbing Martin Montoya of possession, before the captain-for-the-day had a looping header on target - Albion's first of the day.
Harper lashed a 25-yard effort just wide of the post before Dale Stephens did the same, but his effort was destined for the corner.
However, Bond flung himself full stretch to pull off a remarkable save, tipping it onto the post.
The game was beginning to open up now, and next it was Martin Montoya's turn to save his team from going behind.
After superb work from Hoolahan and then Leko found Harper in the box, the 18-year-old checked back inside to Montoya's covering tackle when he might have shot.
Locadia and Knockaert both wasted chances, but it was Albion's insistence on playing out from the back that caught the eye.
The young side looked composed in tight areas in their own half, and were willing to trust each other.
The composure was epitomised by Adarabioyo, who then nearly gave the Baggies the lead with 20 minutes to go, smacking the crossbar with a header at the back post from a Hoolahan free-kick.
Five minutes later and Bond pulled off another save, stretching to push Davy Propper's shot around the post and deny him a superb solo goal.
Whereas Moore sent 18-year-old Rayhaan Tulloch on for his debut, Hughton put on star striker Glenn Murray.
But even he couldn't find a way past Bond, who palmed away his shot in the 90th minute.
Leko was forced off through injury late on, but this will be a game many of the academy can be proud of.
Even though they didn't see a goal, the 3,000 travelling Baggies behind the goal roared their young team off. They knew they'd witnessed a performance.
KEY MOMENTS
20 Brighton want a penalty when Knockaert goes down under Mears' challenge but nothing given
58 Bond's full-stretch save tips Stephens's shot onto the post.
70 Adarabioyo hits the bar with a header at the back post.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jonathan Bond - Plenty of contenders but Bond pips it for his multitude of saves.
TEAMS
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Button; Bruno (c), Duffy, Burn, Montoya; Bissouma, Stephens (Propper 63); Kayal, Locadia (Gyokeres 71), Knockaert; Andone (Murray 82).
Unused subs: Sanchez, Dunk, Gross, March.
Albion (4-3-3): Bond; Mears, Bartley, Adarabioyo, Townsend; Harper, Field, Hoolahan (Tulloch 80), Edwards; Leko (Holgate 88), Hoolahan, Robson-Kanu.
Unused subs: Myhill, Gibbs, Fitzwater, Howkins, Gayle.
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 27,001
