Brighton clinched the League One title with an emphatic 3-1 win away at Walsall watched by 2,300 Brighton fans.
Goals from Inigo Calderon, Glenn Murray and Elliott Bennett saw off relegation threatened Walsall to get the win that ensured they could not be caught with 4 games to go.
The Seagulls started brightly and were ahead in the opening minutes. Bennett swung in a corner which Inigo Calderon headed home from 10 yards through a crowd of players.
The party mode kicked in, but The Seagulls lacked concentration. Liam Bridcutt sliced a clearance high into the air, which came down inside the six yard box. Ankergren decided not to go for it, and Walsall skipper Butler rose unchallenged to head home from 3 yards out.
Brighton began to dominate after that, McDonald in the heart of Walsall’s defence bore the brunt of the attack, having to go off for a cut to his cheek, a dislocated shoulder and an injury to his leg.
The party began in the second half when Brighton began to turn on the style. Glenn Murray headed in his 22nd of the season to put Brighton into a 2-1 lead, and they never looked back.
Emanuel Ledesma, the former Albion trialist came on as a sub for Walsall and was given his marching orders minutes later for a two footed tackle on Adam El Abd.
Calderon nearly scored a 9th of the season but failed to connect with a header on the goal line, El Abd went close, but the best chance fell to Chris Wood, he was sent clean through but with all the time in the world blazed over.
It was left to Bennett, who smashed home a 25 yarder to end any doubt that Brighton may fluff their lines.
The title was theirs, the fans ran on the pitch at full time, and the players came back out to salute the fans, but there was no trophy presentation, except an inflatable version stolen from the jubilant fans.
Player Ratings
Casper Ankergren
6
Inigo Calderon
8
Tommy Elphick
7
Adam El Abd
7
Marcos Painter
7
Elliott Bennett
9
Liam Bridcutt
7
Matt Sparrow
6
Gary Dicker
6
Glenn Murray
8
Ashley Barnes
6
Craig Noone
6
Chris Wood
6
last min appearance
