Match Report for BHA 1-2 Leicester

Last updated : 11 February 2006 By Bob Gear
Click here for Match Stats

Alex Frutos pulled a goal back for Brighton in the second half but they finished with 10 men as Dean Hammond saw red a minute from the end for a second bookable offence.

McCarthy, Leicester's captain in the absence of Danny Tiatto, gave his side a dream start in the fourth minute.

A corner by Johannes Gudjonsson found the centre-half unmarked at the far post and he volleyed in from close range.

Worse followed for Brighton a minute later as a mistake by Adam El-Abd allowed Gudjonsson to release Hume with a pass through the middle.

The Canadian international calmly rounded Brighton keeper Wayne Henderson to double Leicester's lead.

A shell-shocked Brighton rarely threatened to get into the game in the opening 45 minutes but they were thrown a lifeline 11 minutes after the restart by Rab Douglas.

The Leicester keeper made a mess of a punch from Hammond's high cross and Frutos pounced to rifle home.

Brighton came close to equalising on several occasions. Joe Gatting fired over from the edge of the area after captain Guy Butters had a shot blocked. French winger Sebastien Carole then wriggled away from two challenges to test Douglas with an angled drive which the keeper pushed for a corner.

Gary Hart stabbed straight at Douglas in the 73rd minute when a shot from team-mate Paul McShane landed at his feet.

That proved to be the home team's last opportunity and their misery was completed by Hammond's dismissal.