It’s a Med cruise for Hughton high fliers
BRIGHTON boss Chris Hughton stressed that progress in the FA Cup was a high priority after his much-changed side booked a Fourth Round place.
Hughton made ELEVEN changes to his line-up but his Championship leaders were still too strong for their struggling League One opponents before a crowd of 11,091 at the Amex Stadium.
Goals in each half for Beram Kayal and Tomer Hemed saw Albion advance from the third round for the seventh time in the last eight years.
Brighton went into the tie unbeaten in their last 18 Championship matches and Hughton said: “It was another game that we managed to win.
“It keeps the level of confidence within that group of players.
“The FA Cup is a big opportunity for us and we want to make progress.
“We are trying to get promoted and it is our number one priority but this is part of it.”
Dons head coach Robbie Neilson felt his side paid a price for a nervous start but admitted they were beaten by a better side.
“We found it difficult at the start of the game. Brighton created chances and that was the difference,” said the Scot.
“Brighton are a good team and definite promotion candidates that’s for sure.We were beaten by the better side.”
Albion broke the deadlock when the excellent Kayal found the bottom corner from a pass by Hemed, and Kayal later set up Hemed as Albion sealed victory.
Neilson added: “They were quality finishes. Brighton had an early chance that they scored from and both goals were quality finishes.
“In the first half we didn’t get off to the best start and were a bit nervous but I was pleased with us for a 25 minute spell in the second half as we were on the front foot.”
Neilson, experiencing his first taste of the FA Cup added: “Even with 11 changes they have still got quality within the side and Kayal is a player with massive experience.”