City Win For First Time This Season

Ryan France - became City's second scorer this season (Photo © Corred)

Neither team played very attractive football in the windy conditions, with passing of poor quality and midfields not in the game.

Andy Dawson made a run to the near post in the 14th minute. Unfamiliar to this position though, he somehow headed off target from Craig Fagan's left wing cross.

The left-back came forward again 7 minutes later, curling a right-footed shot just wide.

Fagan - who had seen a couple of decent efforts saved or whistle wide - was again in the action in the 38th minute. Nick Barmby crossed from the right and the striker hit a well-controlled volley just wide.

The breakthrough came 5 minutes before half time. Fagan was again involved, beating defenders in a powerful run inside from the left before laying it back to Ryan France. His shot from 20 yards took a slight deflection as it went over goalkeeper Wayne Henderson and into the back of the net.

The otherwise immense Danny Coles almost gifted the Seagulls a goal 5 minutes into the second half with a weak backpass. Boaz Myhill did well though to claim the ball in a 50-50 slide with Mark McCammon.

Brighton were putting dangerous crosses in front of goal, while Leon Knight went wide, but couldn't find a finishing touch to beat Myhill.

At the other end, Dawson produced a great cross to the back post where substitute Ben Burgess had made a fantastic run. He connected with a good header, but Henderson made a great save to deny him.

Ben Burgess is congratulated on his goal (Photo © Corred)

Burgess found the net in the 87th minute though to seal the win and score his first goal since suffering a broken leg in April 2004. City broke away with Stuart Elliott, who had been quiet for most of the game, playing a right-footed through ball to Ben Burgess in acres of space just inside the opposition half. He ran on unchallenged and hit his shot past Henderson from 10 yards. The ball came back off the inside of the post and Burgess followed it to tap in from 2 yards out.

City line-up (4-4-2): Boaz Myhill; Scott Wiseman, Danny Coles, Damien Delaney, Andy Dawson; Ryan France, Ian Ashbee, Stuart Green (Curtis Woodhouse 77), Stuart Elliott; Craig Fagan, Nick Barmby (Ben Burgess 65).
Un-used subs: Sergio Leite, Marc Joseph, Kevin Ellison.