Cole’s goal fails to save Rams
DERBY struggled to cope with Yves Bissouma as they missed out on a place in the quarter-finals.
Mali international Bissouma cut the ball back for Anthony Knockaert to sweep Albion into the lead, before his curling effort against the woodwork left Jurgen Locadia with a simple tap-in in firsthalf stoppage time.
Former England defender Ashley Cole headed home with nine minutes remaining to give the Championship visitors hope, but Brighton held on.
Derby boss Frank Lampard has backed Cole to prolong his successful association with the competition.
Cole has a contract until the end of the season with the Rams, but Lampard sees no reason why his former teammate cannot extend his professional career.
Asked if he can see Cole playing another FA Cup match, Lampard said: “Maybe, maybe. He’s been a machine all of his career in terms of fitness and looking after himself – if you look at him, he’s as lean as anybody.
“I’m delighted for him because, at 38, he could comfortably kick back probably now already.
“I thought he was calm and assured on the ball, so really good for us and we’ll need him.”
Both sides would be forgiven for having one eye on other matters before the game.
Brighton have been sucked into a relegation battle, while the Rams are pushing for a Championship play-off place.
Rams goalkeeper Kelle Roos comfortably turned away freekicks from Knockaert and Bissouma inside the opening 25 minutes. Frenchman Knockaert deservedly put the hosts ahead by clinically sweeping a first-time finish into the bottom-right corner to claim his third goal of the campaign after Bissouma pulled the ball back having exchanged passes with Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Martyn Waghorn wasted Derby’s first shot on target by scuffing straight at Seagulls goalkeeper David Button, before the home side doubled their advantage.
Bissouma, a £15million summer signing from Lille, worked space on the edge of the box and, after his fine curling effort came back off the inside of the left-hand post, Locadia was alert to tap home.
Lampard responded by making a double substitution, bringing on Cole and Jack Marriott.
Roos produced fine stops from both Knockaert and Bernardo to keep them in the tie, before Cole set up a tense final period by halving the deficit.
Dan Burn’s poor clearance went straight to ex-LA Galaxy defender Cole for him to head in his first goal in English football since September 2012.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton was impressed by midfielder Bissouma.
“He’s a very talented young player who’s still adjusting to the competitiveness of the game here,” said Hughton.
“I thought he was very good. He showed his quality, great participation in the goals that we scored and these games will all be good for him.”