Walsall 1 Brighton 2

Walsall were KO'd by Brighton's first-half onslaught as their return to action became an anti-climax.

Glenn Murray's early opener stunned the hosts, before former Seagulls loanee Matt Richards levelled against the run of play.

Nicky Forster restored Brighton's lead before half-time, as the Saddlers never threatened in a performance which left them 10 points adrift of the League One play-offs.

Darryl Westlake replaced Rhys Weston, who failed to recover the calf injury picked up in training, as Walsall played their first game in four weeks following the big freeze.

The pitch survived two inspections after the thaw and the visitors started well on the surface, with Murray just missing Nicky Forster's teasing centre after eight minutes.

But, 30 seconds later, the Seagulls took the lead when Elliott Bennett's ball bypassed Mark Hughes and Murray confidently rounded goalkeeper Clayton Ince to stroke home.

Forster drilled over soon after, as the Saddlers' sluggish start continued and they should fallen further behind when Andrew Crofts directed a free header over after 16 minutes.

Brighton were dominating with their impressive brand of attacking play, but from nowhere Walsall levelled after 26 minutes.

Richards rode two challenges and a combination of goalkeeper Michael Kuipers and defender Marcos Painter couldn't keep out his angled drive.

But the Saddlers' weren't level for long and, when Brighton won a corner, Tommy Elphick headed the ball down for Forster's acrobatic volley to stun the Banks's Stadium on 37 minutes.

Home pleas for a penalty were then dismissed when Darren Byfield was felled by Painter, before the striker prodded wide a minute before half-time.

Chris Hutchings' men needed a quick second-half fightback, but the visitors continued to press and Manny Smith needed to be alert to block Forster's snapshot on the hour.

The hosts pressed but couldn't force an opening, although substitute Sam Parkin headed over when well placed.

Troy Deeney had the chance to equalise in injury time but his shot was blocked by Adam Virgo, before Hughes skied over to sum up the Saddlers' afternoon.