Under-21s: United 1 Brighton 1

Our young Reds had the support of multiple first-team faces for the encounter with the Seagulls, and head coach Michael Carrick watched along with Darren Fletcher, and other members of staff.

They were also cheered on by club captain Bruno Fernandes, sat by fellow team-mates Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and Toby Collyer.

Shea Lacey opened the scoring with a delightful free-kick in the first half, with Kofi Shaw netting the leveller for the visitors in the second period.

FIRST HALF

Brighton started the game the brighter, with Harry Mills's early effort tipped over the bar by Will Murdock.

Murdock was then called into action again just moments later, with Nehemiah Oriola combining well with Joe Belmont. The latter's shot was pushed away smartly by our Academy goalkeeper.

Tyrell Malacia's marauding runs down the left channel began to open up space for United as the first half progressed. His cross picked out Jaydan Kamason, with our no.2's subsequent strike at goal blocked.

Reece Munro then earned us a free-kick in a dangerous position as the clocked ticked over into the half-hour mark. Lacey stepped up and curled an effort that nestled into the bottom corner, handing us the lead by beating keeper Nils Ramming's dive.

The Seagulls could have levelled shortly after, with Belmont firing over from close range on 37 minutes. In any case, the flag was raised for offside.

SECOND HALF

Livewire Lacey was stretching Brighton's backline after the restart, with his next effort at goal cannoning back off a post, as he looked to double his tally and match his output in the 2-2 draw at Fulham recently.

On 54 minutes, Malacia picked out James Scanlon, who timed his run well to beat the offside trap. The Gibraltar international rounded the Seagulls shot-stopper, but his cross was unable to pick out Gabriele Biancheri.

Malacia and Scanlon again linked up, minutes later, with the latter picking out Jack Fletcher, who attempted to flick his effort into the bottom corner, but Ramming did well to save.

Time ebbed on and as we entered the last quarter of the game, Brighton equalised after they stole back possession in midfield. Aidan West slid in Shaw and the attacking midfielder prodded home past Murdock to make it 1-1.

Sean Keogh's shot went narrowly wide as Brighton's advances continued, before Chido Obi was introduced for the Reds, as we looked for a winner.

A high press from Obi paid off almost instantly on 80 minutes, with the Dane teeing up Jayce Fitzgerald, who saw his shot dramatically cleared off the line and hit a post on the way out.

Malacia's deflected cross rolled along the crossbar as the frame of the goal denied us again, with the final big chance falling to Shannon Ruth's side.

Shane Nti was picked out well by West, who curled an effort over the bar, with both teams forced to settle for a point.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Aljofree, Malacia; Devaney, Fitzgerald (Sharpe 83), J.Fletcher; Lacey, Biancheri (Obi 75), Scanlon.

Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes, Jackson, Leon.

Scorer: Lacey 35.

Brighton: Ramming; Mackley (Keogh 70), Barclay, Penman, Mills; Owusu, Tasker, Nti; Shaw, Belmont (West 62), Oriola.

Subs not used: Jensen, Cullinane, Newnham-Reeve.

Scorer: Shaw 70.

Booked: Owusu 33, West 90+1.