Hughton: Draw was probably the fair result

The draw increased Championship leaders Brighton’s unbeaten start to 13 games and they now sit four points clear of Hull and Burnley.

Hughton said: “It was probably a fair result. I thought, on balance of play, we were probably the better side, particularly first half, and got into positions of opportunities to score and got into crossing positions but we didn’t make enough of them but, on chances, it was probably a fair result.

“These are a side who were on the back of a really good result at Charlton, they defended very well when they had to and I would imagine they will come away thinking they very much deserved a point.”

Albion were without their regular central midfield duo, Beram Kayal (suspended) and Dale Stephens (thigh injury), which meant Andrew Crofts and Rohan Ince both made their first league starts of the season - Crofts for the first time in a year after a knee injury.

Hughton said: “We had two players playing their first 90 minutes - Crofty for quite some time and Rohan as well and we had Jamie (Murphy) who had been out for four weeks. We probably had a few players who weren’t up to speed as much as what they had but that is what your squad is for.

“They’ll both be better for getting 90 minutes under their belt.”

Brighton left-back Gaetan Bong was stretchered off late on with a knee injury and Hughton said: “The extent we don’t know. Always the best thing is to wait until you’re sure what it is to make comment. We’ll assess that no doubt tomorrow but it’s always a big blow when one of your players has to be stretchered off.”

Preston boss Simon Grayson said: “We’re a little bit disappointed not to win the game. We always knew it was going to be a tough ask to come here and come away with anything because of the players they have got and where they are in the division.

“We knew they’d start the game brightly because they always do but, for large parts, I felt we contained them. We controlled the ball at times and kept it moving around and we had the clearer opportunities.

“But you can’t be disappointed coming away to the league leaders and drawing.”

On Brighton’s unbeaten start, Grayson said: “It’s a remarkable feat and Chris has done a fantastic job because it’s all right being unbeaten but then comes the extra pressure of everyone wanting to be the first ones to beat you.

“I did say earlier in the week, why can’t we be the first ones to do it and when Brighton play their next game, the next team will be saying they want to be the first team to do it. That comes with the territory of being top of the division and being unbeaten.

“Chris is a great coach and a great manager and has got a good football club here, who are progressing in the right way.”

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