Joe Cowan: 7/10
Brighton struggled to test him with his defence standing solid all night, did well initially to save a shot for the visitor’s goal, only for the rebound to be bundled in.
Bayley Hester**: 9/10**
Was very attacking from left back while the team still had 11 men, bombing forward and causing all sorts of problems for Brighton, with the opening goal coming from a corner after Hester’s shot was tipped wide.
Finlay Holcroft (C): 8/10
Was so solid at the back, repelling anything that came his way but couldn’t see out the game after a strong tackle on him forced him to be substituted.
Charlie Forsyth: 6/10
Made a great last gasp tackle to prevent a chance in the first half following a Brighton break but ended up being sent off after picking up two bookings. The first of which was for a robust tackle, which left the referee no option but to show the red after he pulled an opposition shirt when Brighton were on the break.
Alex Lienard: 7/10
Neat and tidy at the back, defending well all game, firstly down the right and then in the middle after Forsyth was sent off.
Liam Hunt (C): 8/10
Patrolled in front of the back four, giving the defence plenty of protection. Kept the ball well but also quick to win it back, including for the third goal when he won it high up the pitch and gave Geragusian a chance on a plate, which was duly taken.
Charlie Dinsdale: 9/10
Worked so hard in the middle of the pitch, chasing down players when out of possession and then bombing up the pitch with the ball stuck to his foot when were were attacking. Did great in the build up to Neill’s goal (see below) and almost scored a brilliant solo goal when he dribbled through the opposition defence, only to shoot straight at the goalkeeper.
Tom Proctor: 8/10
Scored the opening goal, directly from a corner and never stopped running. Did really well to break up the pitch in the second half and played in Geragusian with a good through ball for a great chance that came to nothing.
Felix Scott: 7/10
A little quiet on the left but still got himself an assist with a nice ball into the path of Neill for the second goal, and was always available for a pass out wide.
Marcus Neill: 8/10
Took his goal really well, with a neat finish into the far corner and kept giving Brighton something to think about with his well timed runs in behind.
Finn Geragusian**: 9/10**
Two goals for Geragusian, the first a left-footed effort after Hunt picked him out in the box and the second when he followed up Lightfoot’s shot. Probably could have got one or two more but a couple of times he took a touch too many when well placed to score. Put a huge shift in following the sending off.
Substitutes
Archie Lightfoot**: 7/10**
Came on following the sending off and helped us shut up shop, but still found time to get forward and have a hand in the fourth goal when his shot rebounded to Geragusian.
Arron Bowman: 7/10
Slotted into defence really well once he came on, making a couple of really important clearances from dangerous crosses.
Matthew Burns: 6/10
Helped us see out the game after he replaced the tiring Hester.
Lewis Campbell: 6/10
Wasn’t on too long but looked dangerous.
James Barker: N/A
A very late change with the game already won.
Man of the Match: Bayley Hester
Some really good performances all over the pitch tonight but I thought Bayley Hester was electric while the game was still live, helping us to get into the three goal lead, which meant the red card wasn’t a particularly big factor in the game. Following the red card he defended ever so well at left back.