Match report: Brighton 1-1 Arsenal U-23s

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WHAT HAPPENED

We kicked off the new year with a 1-1 draw on a chilly night on the South coast against Brighton.

Kevin Betsy's side showed no signs of rust 32 days since their last Premier League 2 outing, and took the game to the hosts right from the off.

Our early pressure was rewarded after just 10 minutes, some brilliant hold-up play from Joel Ideho, who found Mika Biereth well inside the box, our striker finishing smartly across the keeper from a tight angle - the Dane's goal his seventh of the season.

Biereth then had a big chance to double our advantage, pouncing on a loose pass in the Brighton defence to race through one-on-one, but his effort was fired straight at Tom McGill.

Brighton's response was a good one and Lorent Tolaj saw his bullet header saved remarkably by Ovie Ejeheri from point-blank range.

The Swiss forward restored parity shortly before the break, tapping home from close range past a helpless Ejeheri after we were caught on our heels at the back.

Betsy shuffled his pack at the interval, Omari Hutchinson replaced by Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, our winger making just his third appearance at this level.

The second half was a cagey one with chances at a premium, our best coming late through substitute Mauro Bandeira, whose powerful strike from the edge of the box went just over the crossbar.

James Olayinka had an opportunity to win it for us in the closing stages, but his effort was smothered out by a resolute Brighton defence, as the points were shared on the South coast.