Brentford 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
- Published
Chris Hughton's Brighton reign got off to a winning start as the Seagulls struck late to beat fellow Championship side Brentford in the FA Cup.
Brentford wasted a host of chances as Andre Gray sliced wide from 12 yards and headed off target from close in.
Their profligacy was punished as Lewis Dunk glanced home Solly March's cross two minutes from time.
The hosts pressed forward but were caught out as Chris O'Grady broke clear to seal Brighton's fourth-round spot.
For most of the game it had felt like a matter of time until Brentford scored the opener, despite Brighton's determined and deep-lying defence.
Alan Judge fizzed a shot over the top in the first half before Gray squandered a pair of clear headed chances after the break.
Brighton's opportunities were scarce, with March the liveliest of their attacking options.
But Gray's misses seemed to spur the visitors on and substitute O'Grady shot against the post before he and Dunk completed an audacious smash-and-grab victory in Hughton's first game since his appointment on 31 December.
Brentford manager Mark Warburton said:
"We were excellent in the first half and played with good tempo but we lacked the clinical edge that would have brought us our rewards.
"We missed chances and then got slack at the back and it gave them a little bit of hope. If you don't do what you do well and lose that is poor.
"The statistics are very good but we have to put the ball in the net."
Brighton manager Chris Hughton said:
"It's a great confidence boost to come here and win. We know their form in the last couple of games hasn't been great but they have had a super season and you can see what a good side they are.
"We rode our luck a little but we also had some good chances ourselves. I was keen to build on the boys' league victory at Fulham last week, so it's certainly good to get back-to-back wins.
"I need to assess what I have here. I learned we have resilience and a very young midfield who had to dig in and be disciplined."
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