I honestly think that this is the only post that the OP needed to read. Sensible and to the point. Al of the other conflicting suggestions as to pubs and locales, are only serving to completely confuse him!
Yeah, but he's an away fan, we don't want to be TOO helpful.
Personally I'd stay in Henfield in the Bell Hotel. Good beer there as well, although you could also go to the Gardeners. You can leave as late as 10 minutes before kick-off and catch the direct train straight to Falmer. Doddle.