A double from midfielder Jason Knight ensured the Derby County Under-23s extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.


The Rams have temporarily moved top of Premier League 2 - Division 1, with Chelsea and Everton kicking off at 2pm, after a commanding performance against the Seagulls at their Elite Football Performance Centre.

The first goal of the game didn’t come until the hour mark as good work from winger Mason Bennett set Knight up for his first finish of the match as he headed home from inside the box.

However, Brighton, who are in mid-table, managed to grab an equaliser shortly after the restart as Irish midfielder Warren O’Hora saw his effort find the back of the net from a corner.

The Rams did not let that goal deter them and they were soon back ahead with only 15 minutes of the game remaining.

Good work from midfielder George Evans, making his comeback from a thigh injury, saw him cut the ball back to Knight who swept the ball home with a lovely left-footed finish from the edge of the area.

The Rams had chances to extend their lead but they managed to see the game out professionally to ensure they recorded another valuable three points.

Brighton & Hove Albion U23s: Keto, Yapi (Davies 66’), Cochrane, O’Hora, Roberts, Baluta, Cashman, Jenks, Gwargis, Samoukovic (Leahy 63’), Richards.

Derby County U23s: Barnes, Brown, Buchanan, Wassall, Bateman, Evans, Mitchell-Lawson (Shonibare 72’), Knight, Bennett, Hector-Ingram, Sibley (Babos 78’).