Brighton 1 Town 1

Jan 21 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ROBBIE WILLIAMS finally delivered as Town salvaged a point on the South coast.

Andy Ritchie’s team looked to be heading for a fourth straight League I defeat when Brighton centre-back Tommy Elphick powered a 74th-minute header into keeper Matt Glennon’s top left-hand corner.

But the visitors’ response was quick and impressive.

A 76th-minute foul by Elphick’s fellow centre-back Adam El-Abd on Luke Beckett 25 yards out on the Town right provided the opportunity.

Williams arrived from Barnsley with the reputation of being a set-piece specialist, but there had been little previous evidence of this prowess.

Nathan Clarke provided nuisance value in the Brighton wall and Phil Jevons was the decoy runner.

Home left-back Matt Richards clearly got wind of what was about to happen, because as Williams began his run-up, he peeled away and ran back towards keeper Michael Kuipers’ left-hand post, which was unattended.

But by the time he got there, the ball was nestling in the top corner, courtesy of a sweet swing of Williams’ left boot.

It was a first goal in his nine appearances so far for the club, and was warmly appreciated by the 190 hardy visiting fans in a 5,343 crowd.

And it rewarded a battling display by Town, who would have snatched victory had the cheekiest of back-heels by Jevons from an 89th-minute Malvin Kamara cross not gone just inches wide.

It’s a shame a little of the gloss was taken off the performance by the post-match dismissal of Chris Brandon, who was shown a straight red card after an altercation with Gary Hart, who was also sent off.

Hart, who had only come off the bench in the 86th minute, tackled Brandon as he and Jevons were running down the three minutes of time added on by passing to each other near the corner flag.

The ball went out of play, and as the throw-in was taken, Wiltshire referee Roger East blew the final whistle.

Hart immediately made for Brandon with his hands raised and the two went nose to nose like boxers at a pre-fight press conference.

Other players became involved, and the red card was twice brandished, with Brandon’s teammate Clarke and Town coach Martyn Booty acting as peacemakers as another skirmish started as the players made their way towards the changing rooms.

Brandon must now serve a three-match suspension, with Joe Skarz also ruled out of Saturday’s big FA Cup fourth-round match at Oldham after picking up his fifth caution of the campaign.

While the Withdean Stadium showdown had an eventful finish, in the first half, drama was a scarce as the facilities at Brighton’s somewhat spartan base.

Clarke and keeper Matt Glennon combined to deny Elphick and Nicky Forster in an early scramble.

Then French winger David Martot slid a shot into the side-netting.

Forster had a 26th-minute shot-on-turn saved, while for Town, Williams fired wide before Brandon had a weak effort easily saved then got better connection with a volley, only for the 33rd-minute effort to be deflected for a corner.

Beckett was played in by Brandon a minute after the restart, but topped his shot, while Glennon showed quick reactions to deny Andrew Whing soon after.

Town’s stopper was in fine form and left Forster frustrated by denying him in a one-on-one in the 57th minute, then blocked Dean Cox’s 65th-minute bid for a breakthrough after the midfielder played a nice one-two with Alex Revell.

When Revell’s 72nd-minute shot was deflected wide, Town substitute Malvin Kamara did well to head away as Cox flighted in the flag-kick.

But it was at the expense of another corner, and this time, Elphick hit the target from just inside the area.

Even allowing for the goal, Town were far better in defence than they had been at home to Gillingham the week before, and they also showed some character to hit back.

Player ratings

Matt Glennon

Another solid show, with some great second-half saves stopping Brighton running away with it.

7/10.

Michael Collins

Once again in the relatively unfamiliar role of right-back and produced a gutsy and energetic performance.

6/10.

Joe Skarz

The left-back’s first start in nine was spoiled by a fifth booking of the season and an early finish through injury.

6/10.

Andy Holdsworth

A rare old tussle with Brighton new boy Steven Thomson was halted by a knock to the ankle.

6/10.

Nathan Clarke

Bounced back from a below-par performance against Gillingham with a bright display.

7/10.

David Mirfin

Worked well in tandem with Clarke to help Town look far more solid against a pretty robust Brighton side.

6/10

Chris Brandon

A busy display on the right wing was spoiled by his red card after the final whistle. Now misses three matches.

6/10.

Jon Worthington

Got his head down and put in a good, hard-working shift against a home team who were up for the contest.

6/10.

Luke Beckett

Unable to capitalise on a couple of decent chances. Needs a goal to rekindle things.

6/10.

Phil Jevons

Always eager for the ball and willing to have a crack. Came close to a late winner with a cheeky back-heel.

6/10.

Robbie Williams

His move to the left side of midfield wasn’t a complete success, but his equaliser was a beauty.

6/10.

Town substitutions

James Berrett for Holdsworth, 58mins; Malvin Kamara for Skarz, 71mins. Not used: Matt Young, Shane Killock, Alex Smithies.Caution: Skarz.Sent off: Brandon (after final whistle).

Brighton

Kuipers, Whing, El-Abd, Cox, Thomson, Reid, Elphick, Martot (Elder, 88mins), Richards, Revell (Hart, 86mins), Forster. Subs not used: Mayo, Butters, Loft.

Caution: Cox. Sent off: Hart (after final whistle).

Ref watch

Wiltshire’s Roger East, who is in his second season on the league list and was taking charge of Town for the first time, certainly didn’t impress manager Andy Ritchie, who claimed there was a push in the build-up to the Brighton goal and said Brandon and Hart should have been shown yellow rather than red cards.

By the letter of the law, however, East was probably correct.