Hughton off to flying start

CHRIS HUGHTON had a proud FA Cup record as a player and he was pleased that his love affair with the competition continued in his first game as Brighton manager.

Hughton won the competition twice with Tottenham and late goals from Lewis Dunk and Chris O’Grady give his new side a place in the next round.

‘We were able to ride our luck, we defended very well and took our chances when they came,’ said Hughton who took over from Sami Hyypia.

Brentford had the better of the first half as Moses Odubajo and then Jon Toral tested David Stockdale in the Brighton goal, but the second half was a different story.

Solomon March had three good chances to score after the break but a post and an in-form keeper kept him out.

His first effort after a good break by Craig Mackail-Smith forced Jack Bonham into a good save. He then nicked the ball off Odubajo but hit a post, and then a shot went under Bonham but trickled wide.

Substitute O’Grady was next to hit a post but, with two minutes remaining, Brighton took the lead when Dunk rose highest in a crowded area to head home March’s free-kick.

And they quickly added a second when O’Grady curled a shot past the busy Bonham.

Brentford boss Mark Warburton felt his side were unlucky, adding: ‘The stats will show we dominated, but again we have lost, so we will have to learn from that.’