Garcia and Bruce forced to settle for Fifth Round replay

Oscar Garcia and Steve Bruce were forced to settle for an FA Cup replay on Monday night, when a late equaliser from Yannick Sagbo rescued a draw for Hull City at Brighton.

It had looked as though Garcia’s Seagulls had done enough to seal a Sixth Round berth and a home tie with Sunderland after Leo Ulloa’s goal in the first half.

But when Sagbo struck, it meant the clubs will meet again next Monday at the KC Stadium.

Garcia admitted: "In the first half we were the better side, but in the second half the game was close.

"We had the chances to win, but the game could have gone either side. If we scored the second it would be different, but they took their chance late on.

"But I’m pleased with the performance of my players – it’s not easy to play against Premier League opposition but we have shown that we can compete with them.

"When you concede a late goal, you can be a little bit disappointed but my feelings are really good and I’m happy all my players showed to everybody that they can play."

Bruce didn’t differ in his take on the game, although having seen City hit the woodwork twice in the first half and then have chances to win it after their equaliser, he was a little more reflective.

He said: "I’d like to give credit to Brighton - they played some smashing football and we found it difficult, especially in the first half when they kept breaking on us.

"We gave the ball away and were a little bit lackadaisical and we got caught on the counter attack, they do that very well.

"Ulloa was a handful for us all night, he’s a very good player and you can see why they’re at the top end of the Championship.

"But once we got the goal, I thought there was only one team in it and that was us as we had two great chances and we’ve hit the bar twice too.

"It was a very difficult Cup tie, which we knew it would be.

"On another day, we could have been through but with five minutes to go, you’re delighted to still be in The Cup so that gives us another chance."

Both managers were certainly in agreement on the prospect of a replay exactly one week after the first tie.

With Brighton due to play promotion rivals Wigan Athletic in the Championship next Saturday and Hull facing a trip to Cardiff City in the Premier League, both bosses will need to use their squads wisely.

"It’s not good for anyone to play two games in three days, but there’s not much we can do," admitted Garcia.

"The travelling will not go in our favour, it’s not the best scenario for us but we just have to focus on this game and try to win, but we have to do it."

Bruce added: "We’ll have to take it and deal with it when it comes.

"Can we play two games in two days? Yes, why not?

"They’ve [Brighton] got exactly the same problem, but the big key for us is that you worry about injuries and when you play football matches there is a case that you can get injuries.

"But tonight was great for the likes of Stephen Quinn, Sone Aluko and Abdou Faye because they need matches, so they’ll be better for the game next Monday."