The Shots suffered defeat in the National League Cup as Brighton and Hove Albion Under 21s picked up a 3-2 win despite being reduced to 10-men in the fifth minute.
Brighton were reduced to 10-men in just the fifth minute when a dangerous and quite simply stupid challenge from Joe Knight was lucky to not seriously injure Hady Ghandour.
The numerical advantage was instantly noticeable as Aldershot began to control possession and were happy to remain patient as they passed the ball around looking for an opening.
Instead, they were gifted their first sight of goal as trying to play out of the back, Brighton passed it straight to Hady Ghandour who was leading a high Shots press. Ghandour’s shot was blocked behind for a corner, however, and from the resulting corner, Kai Corbett tried his luck from distance but saw his effort saved.
In the 15th minute, a smart free-kick from James Henry out wide found Dejan Tetek unmarked on the edge of the box, but his shot was tipped over the bar by Killian Cahill.
Having shaken off the awful challenge that earned a red card, Ghandour then fell victim to an arm to the face and having had to receive stitches, was forced off to be replaced by Hady Ghandour.
Unfortunately another first-half substitution was needed as a result of injury after Jordi van Stappershoef pulled up whilst attempting to start a counter-attack after claiming a corner and Marcus Dewhurst took his place between the sticks in the 38th minute.
Two minutes later the Shots had the ball in the back of the net as Ryan Jones drove down the left wing to slot it in, but the goal was disallowed by the Referee for a very questionable foul on a Brighton defender.
Lachlan Byrd forced a save from Cahill and Kai Corbett narrowly missed the target with a shot from outside the box as half-time approached but the sides went into the break goalless.
HALF-TIME
10 minutes into the second-half Lachlan Byrd was unlucky not have given the Shots the lead as he rose highest from a corner to head against the post and saw his shot on the rebound cleared behind by a combination of a block and a save.
On the hour, Ryan Jones was causing more problems down the left wing as he beat two men well and picked out Maxwell Mullins with his cross, but Mullins’ header looped just over the bar.
The Shots took the lead in the 64th minute thanks to a good advantage from the Referee. Kai Corbett was fouled on the edge of the box, but Jack Barham picked the ball up and squared the ball across the box for James Henry to smash into the bottom corner.
Some great football from the Shots almost saw a second in the 69th minute as James Henry’s perfectly weighted ball out to the right found Aaron Jones who in turn picked out Jack Barham with a first-time, fizzed cross, but Barham’s effort was straight into the arms of Cahill.
Brighton had barely broken into the Shots half, but in the 80th minute they found an equaliser. Josh Duffus found himself in behind the Shots defence and was able to slot the ball under the on-rushing Dewhurst for Marcus Ifill to fire into an empty net.
And just two minutes later, they took a surprise lead. Josh Duffus again found himself in behind the Shots defence and this time rounded Dewhurst to score himself.
But the Shots were able to get back level not long later after brilliant work from Maxwell Mullins to earn a penalty. Turning three defenders on the edge of the box, he was brought down as he broke into it. James Henry stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way.
But there was to be more decisive late action as Brighton would steal victory in added time. Aldershot failed to properly clear their lines and Caylan Vickers picked up the ball, beat two players and powered a shot past Dewhurst.
Attendance: 317
Shots lineup: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef (28. Marcus Dewhurst, 38′), 2. Lachlan Byrd, 5. Christian Maghoma, 9. Kai Corbett, 11. Ryan Jones, 17. Aaron Jones (C) (21. Ashley Akpan, 78′), 22. Jack Barham (20. Haydon Vaughan, 78′), 23. Hady Ghandour (24. Maxwell Mullins, 32′), 27. James Henry, 34. Dejan Tetek (32. Emmanuel Maja, 78’), 35. Dan Ellison.
Subs not used: 25. Rollin Menayese, 36. Billy Walsh.
Brighton & Hove Albion U21s lineup: 38. Killian Cahill, 32. Cam Peupion (72. Harry Howell), 46. Marcus Ifill, 50. Jamie Mullins (C), 52. Josh Duffus (66. Yussif Owusu), 53. Jacob Slater, 56. Caylan Vickers, 57. Joe Knight, 64. Charlie Penman, 65. Zane Albarus (79. Callum Mackley), 71. Freddie Simmonds.
Subs not used: 59. Harry Mills, 62. Hugo Fisher, 67. Remiero Moulton, 68. Sahil Bashir.
