Alsop wins aerial challenge

A very creditable result for the Swans in difficult conditions and against a decent side. But they won't be happy with losing a hard earned lead, and the second half performance left plenty to be desired. An early boost was the return of Julian Alsop to the line-up replacing Tony Bird - this was the only change from the team that capitulated at Carlisle on Tuesday. From the first whistle though, it was clearly a very different side in terms of cohesion and spirit. We opened very brightly, playing some crisp passing football and making the most of Jules' robust aerial presence.

We created a couple of half chances from some dangerous in-swinging corners from Thomas. One of which was almost turned home by Watkin. Price looked particularly lively, repeatedly stretching the Brighton defence with his confident running. The noisy contingent of Swans fans made the most of this bright spell by responding with some impressive vocal support, and were rewarded after 20 minutes when we took the lead. A free kick from our right side was curled towards goal by the left foot of Coates, and met by the forehead of Alsop giving Mark Walton in the Brighton goal no chance.

Alsop's goal

This spurred a response from Brighton who enjoyed a fair bit of possession in the next 20 minutes, but without fashioning any clear cut chances. Their best effort was a header over the bar and a rasping cross from the right which Roger parried before Bound cleared. During this spell most attention was drawn to the curious refereeing of Mr Wilkes, who appeared to adjudge every physical challenge as warranting a Brighton free kick. We still looked lively on the break - Price worked himself into 2 good positions but his shots were wide of the mark and another bursting run from JJ almost set Watkin free.

At half time, with the rain coming down in torrents, we pondered whether we would pay the price for not having secured a second goal. And so it proved - Brighton were like a different team in the second half and from the first whistle they mounted wave after wave of attacks resulting in almost continuous pressure. Despite this, Roger was not called upon to make a serious save, though Smith and Bound repeatedly struggled to clear the dangerous corners and crosses that swung in one after another. During this spell we could barely put a foot on the ball, our only response being a shot over the bar from Lee Jenkins (on for Coates). So it was no surprise when the equaliser came - Smith skied a clearance, which fell to the dangerous Gary Hart, who smashed the ball past Roger from close range, for a deserved goal.

Mike Howard on the back foot

For a short spell, a Brighton winner seemed inevitable - Grey and Freeman both had shooting chances blocked, and Bound headed one shot away from inside the six yard box, with Roger beaten. By this time O'Leary had replaced Price, and we had lost all forward momentum, all our efforts now being concentrated on holding onto our point. And despite a speculative effort from Jenkins, and a scuffed shot from Watkin late on, we really were not an attacking force in the second half. However, the point was deserved on balance, and it has to go down as a very decent result, particularly in the light of the other scores today.

Comment has to be passed on the Withdean stadium - surely this has to be a short term arrangement. Football seems quite out of context in this makeshift arena where there is little protection from the elements other than B&HA 'packamacs'! Most worrying is the state of the pitch in terms of the playing surface and its lack of width, which made constructive football very difficult. And as Park and Ride is the only way of getting to the ground by car, this makes both access and egress a time consuming exercise. Brighton please build a new ground...or go back to Priestfield before we have to play you again!

Price in midfield command

Player ratings -
Freestone - 6 Struggled with some crosses today
Jones - 7 didn't stop many crosses but fought with gusto.
Howard - 6 as above but slightly less gusto
Smith - 7 battled hard in the second half but wobbled a bit
Bound - 7 as above but slightly less wobble
Price - 7 for the first half performance alone
Coates - 6 fairly ineffective but great ball in for the goal
Thomas - 7 Plenty of midfield endeavour
Cusack - 5 just not enough influence when needed (again!)
Watkin - 6 promising opening but didn't deliver in the second half
Alsop - 8 won everything in the air and.....2 goals now this
millennium!

Subs
Jenkins 6 - better than usual, but kept getting sucked into the middle
O'Leary - 4 sorry Kris...but looking unfit and off the pace!

Before the game we would have settled for a point here and it was crucial not to lose. But it was disappointing to let the advantage slip, and to bring on Jenkins and O'Leary when the likes of Roberts (who was in the stand!) Casey, and Appleby were available, signalled a somewhat negative approach in the second half. But they never stopped battling against a very decent looking outfit and they came away with what could be a precious result. Credit is due for this and it certainly did NOT warrant the "load of rubbish" chants that came from a small contingent at the end, much to Roger's surprise and disgust. Once again a small group that think that support is something you only do when we win. Fortunately the majority of the Jacks, who had been very vocal throughout, greeted the result with generous applause. All roads lead to the Vetch next week, particularly from Peterborough, for a game which could almost be a clincher. Lets get behind them - THE JACKS ARE GOING UP!

Alsop defending

Brighton boss Micky Adams tipped his old club, Swansea, for automatic promotion after watching his team hold them to a battling draw.

Adams was in charge at the Vetch Field for only a fortnight before quitting in mysterious circumstances.

Time has healed the wounds and Adams said: "Even before we kicked off, I expected Swansea to make promotion.

"They are so far clear that they can only throw it away, and I don't see that happening. They have won a lot of games 1-0, which tells you something about how well they defend."

Adams feared another 1-0 victory for the Swans when Julian Alsop headed them into an early lead. The giant striker, returning from a three-match injury absence, powered in a Jonathan Coates free kick to reward Swansea's initial superiority.

It was an ironic blow for Adams's assistant, Alan Cork, as he signed Alsop after taking over the Swansea hot seat. Brighton responded courageously in heavy rain and on a heavy pitch.

Steve Jones slides in

The in-form Gary Hart stretched their unbeaten run to eight with an equaliser midway through the second half. Hart pounced on a miscued clearance by Jason Smith to lash in his fourth goal in as many games and 10th of the season.

Adams said: "I was disappointed with us in the first half. We were never at the races. I expected us to start fast, but as it turned out, Swansea did, which surprised me after the journey they had to Carlisle a few days earlier.

"They were causing us problems, particularly from set pieces with their superior height. I sat the players down at half time and asked them to be braver on the ball and to accept responsibility.

"We dominated the second half and I am delighted with the run we have put together. Sometimes draws feel like defeats, but I am happy to pick up a point."

Swansea manager John Hollins said: "I am not really happy with a point. We played well in the first half and had some good chances, which we didn't stick away."

Jones brings the ball out of defence

Gary Hart hit his fourth goal in five games as Brighton stretched their unbeaten run to eight games with a 1-1 draw against Swansea.

Fit-again Julian Alsop gave the Swans the lead after 18 minutes by heading in a free-kick from Jonathon Coates.

But the Seagulls' pressure was rewarded when Hart struck from close range, Jason Smith having failed to control a pass from Charlie Oatway.

Albion were denied a winner three minutes later when Matthew Bound headed a shot by Gary Brooker off the line.

Hart and Darren Freeman were both off target when well placed as Brighton forced Swansea back before the interval.

Roger applauds the travelling fans