Match report: Brighton 1-0 Arsenal

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WHAT HAPPENED

A disappointing night on the south coast saw our unbeaten run come to end as we lost 1-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Zech Medley came close in the opening stages when he met Nathan Tormey’s accurate cross from the right, but saw his powerful header fly over the bar.

Midway through the first half we thought we had taken the lead when Thomas McGill clawed Tormey’s deflected cross away from the goal-line, and the referee waved away the calls for a goal to be given.

On the stroke of half-time Brighton should have been ahead when Peter Gwargis broke free of our defence, drove into the box, and fired an effort on to the post, before Matt Smith blocked his follow-up effort.

Early in the second half the hosts broke the deadlock when Gwargis controlled the ball midway through our half, cut inside and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

Moments later we were reduced to 10 men when Robbie Burton received a second yellow card for a foul on the halfway line, and Matt Macey prevented the hosts doubling their advantage when he kept out Gwargis’ header from close range with a smart save.

With 15 minutes remaining, Medley came close again with a header, but saw his effort bounce off the post.

Deep into injury time, James Olayinka came inches away from an equaliser when his attempted cross evaded McGill but struck the crossbar before the ball was cleared.