By Tim Hodges from the Amex
Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Derby County 1
Albion are through to the FA Cup quarter finals for only the fourth time in their history.
A thirty third minute goal from Anthony Knockaert who swept in Yves Bissouma cross to put Albion in front, then Bissouma ran at the Derby defence in first half injury time an curled an exquisite shot which rattled the post, the rebound fired home from close range from Jurgen Locadia.
Albion had further chances to go further in front in the second half with Shane Duffy and Knockaert, again going close.
An acrobatic Bissouma effort brought an equally acrobatic save from Kelle Roos in the Derby goal.
The veterans Tom Huddleston and David Nugent were keeping Derby ticking over and in the match
But it was another veteran, in Ashley Cole who got the Rams goal as a Florian Jozefzoon shot was parried by David Button and the former Chelsea, Arsenal and England full back headed the Rams back in it.
Derby didn’t quite have a clear cut chance to level and Albion go on to the sixth round for the second successive year.