SUNSHINE greeted the start of The Saddlers' final League game at Withdean Stadium.

8 Stop-start beginning to the game, but a neat move on the right by Walsall ended with Paul Marshall being fed just outside the area and his low strike was pushed out by Casper Ankergren as the loose ball was scrambled clear.

10 After a poor clearance by Casper Ankergren, Alex Nicholls was alive to the ball to cross into the path of Reuben Reid who missed his kick at the vital moment. In the next attack, Ryan McGivern's teasing cross from the left was headed just wide by Reid as The Saddlers started to make their presence felt. It was a good chance for Reid who kicked the post in frustration.

16 Powerful burst from Reuben Reid saw him play in Alex Nicholls who took the ball a little too wide before firing over. Walsall the better of the two teams in the opening quarter.

22 Alex Nicholls linked up with Aaron Lescott on the right and his cross was met by the head of Paul Marshall which looped high over the crossbar.

26 Long ball forward knocked on to Elliott Bennett by Glenn Murray and his stinging effort was beaten away by Jonny Brain, who was called into action for the first time. It brought the home side to life and soon afterwards, Agustin Battipede had a shot blocked from close range as The Saddlers scrambled the ball out for a corner, which came to nothing.

30 Some good defending by Manny Smith saw him play in Aaron Lescott on the right who linked up with Alex Nicholls for a cross-cum-shot that almost found its way beyond Casper Ankergren.

32 A foul by Manny Smith gave Brighton a free-kick in a promising position which Elliott Bennett whipped in as Glenn Murray got a touch but put the ball wide. In the next raid, Ashley Barnes had an opening in front of him but he failed to seize upon the opportunity.

34 The home side getting a grip on the game and Glenn Murray linked up well with Ashley Barnes for a chance but Jonny Brain was alert to the danger to gather at his feet.

39 A corner from Paul Marshall found the head of Manny Smith who found Julian Gray with his back to goal but his attempt to cheekily flick the ball home failed to come off.

44 Skipper, Aaron Lescott booked for delaying a free-kick deep inside his own half.

45 In the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, Oliver Lancashire did well to clear for a corner in an aerial dual with Glenn Murray as the ball came in invitingly from the right.

Half-time: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Walsall 0

60 Evenly-matched start to the second period with neither side creating any serious chances to break the deadlock.

62 Aaron Lescott did well on the right to play in Julian Gray who cut inside before hitting a low strike that failed to trouble Casper Ankergren. At the other end, Oliver Lancashire defended well to deny Glenn Murray as he looked to deliver the ball into the box.

66 Aaron Lescott spoken to at length by the referee following a foul. As Brighton launched the resulting free-kick forward, Marcos Painter had an effort that was deflected onto the crossbar by Manny Smith. It was a let-off for Walsall but within a minute, Ashley Barnes found room inside the area to guide the ball home and open the scoring for the home side. 

71 Walsall reduced to ten men when Alex Nicholls was shown a straight red card following an aerial challenge. It was the assistant referee who brought it to the referee's attention as he flagged furiously.

74 The home side turning up the pressure and after Ashley Barnes had missed a good opening in front of goal, Inigo Calderon got in a strike on the right of the area that Jonny Brain beat away.

76 There was another chance for The Seagulls to extend their lead as substitute, Jamie Smith went close.

79 Elliott Bennett did well on the right and his cross was perfect for the head of Marcos Painter at the far post who made no mistake with a header to make it 2-0

80 In the wake of the goal, Jon Macken was introduced for his Walsall debut in place of Julian Gray.

85 Some more good play by Elliott Bennett saw him keep ball in play and find Inigo Calderon who played in Glenn Murray and as he drew Jonny Brain, his strike struck the base of the post and went out for a goal-kick.

86 Glenn Murray found himself in space as Walsall searched for a way back into the game, but his cross was headed over from close range by Jamie Smith.

90 Saddlers pulled a goal back when Matt Richards found Jon Macken who curled the ball home  from the edge of the area to stun Casper Ankergren and grab a goal on his Walsall debut.

It was too little too late as The Saddlers went down to a 2-1 defeat as the 261 travelling supporters made the long journey home pointless.

Full-time: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Walsall 1