U21 Report: Saints 1-3 Brighton

The close encounter was goalless at half time but the visitors raced into a two-goal lead early in the second half.

Will Merry pulled a goal back off the bench in the closing stages but a late penalty put the result beyond doubt for Brighton.

Saints still have ten days to go until they return to competitive action at the end of October in Premier League 2.

Adam Asghar continues preparation for his first league game. (Photos: Tom Mulholland)

Saints showed positive signs across the pitch as Adam Asghar named a side that allowed the squad to regain match fitness and show their abilities to the new Head Coach.

Tyler Dibling had the first half-chance of the afternoon as he travelled towards the edge of the area before his shot was blocked.

At the other end, Josh Jeffries made several impressive stops, starting with a double save as he parried an effort across goal before smothering the rebound on the line with the help of Sonnie Davis.

A long ball from Zach Awe released Princewill Ehibhatiomhan in the 14th minute, but the striker hit the side netting after Brighton’s goalkeeper had rushed out and forced him well wide of the area.

The closest opportunity of the first half fell to Ehibhatiomhan just after the half hour after a great burst of pace from Jayden Meghoma on the left wing, but Saints’ striker saw his shot deflected onto the post.

Ehibhatiomhan came close to scoring.

The deadlock was broken by the visitors in the second half with a quickfire double that left Saints with work to do.

A deep cross from the right wing floated over to the far post where a Brighton body was arriving to slam home from close range.

Then, just two minutes later, one became two from inside the area with an accurate finish past substitute goalkeeper Josh McNamara.

Ehibatiomhan had an opening just past the hour to reduce the deficit but he was denied by a sliding challenge.

Saints did pull a goal back with 15 minutes remaining thanks to Merry, who was released on the right by Dibling and angled his shot across goal into the far corner.

Will Merry pulled a goal back.

In the closing stages, Jem Hewlett saw his header from a corner cleared over the crossbar as Saints searched for a late equaliser.

With six minutes to play, Jake Vokins cut the ball back to Dibling in the area whose shot rebounded off the underside of the crossbar and out without being deemed to have crossed the line.

Moments later, the result was confirmed as Brighton were awarded a penalty that was calmly dispatched into the bottom right corner.

Saints: Jeffries (McNamara 45), Davis (Abu 64), Armitage, Awe (Hewlett 45), Meghoma (Andrews 56), Bragg, Vokins, Stepien-Iwumene (Merry 72), Ehibhatiomhan, Dibling, Lett.

Subs not used: Robinson, Oyekunle.

Goals: Merry 75.

Brighton: N/A

Goals: Jackson 55, Trialist 57, O'Mahoney 86.