Despite a positive start, our development squad could not contain the young Seagulls once they found their rhythm.

We did have some chances through Charlie Webster and Mason Burstow, while Leo Castledine’s goal appeared to give us a chance at a comeback, but the away side were comfortable as they separated themselves from us in the second-half.

We should have taken the lead early on as a good move resulted in Dylan Williams having an effort at goal which was parried into the path of Burstow, but the striker failed to convert from close range. Webster almost gave us the opener as his shot from outside the box crashed off the crossbar.

As it looked like both sides would go into the break level, Andy Moran struck on the stroke of half-time to give the away side the lead.

Brighton started the second period the better of the two sides and Moran got his brace as he caressed into the top corner.

Almost immediately from the restart, the young Seagulls won the ball back swiftly and countered, leading to their third of the game. Luca Barrington found Jack Hinshelwoood, who had the easy job of tapping into the net.

The away side were trying to see the game out but our young Blues showed some fight by scoring one through Leo Castledine, who headed home from close range.

Any signs of a comeback were immediately quashed as Tom O’Mahony flicked into the net to give his side their fourth.

Our season ended in defeat as Brighton were too strong for Chelsea on this occasion.

Our development squad were looking to give themselves the best chance of a second place finish in the PL2 this evening as they took on the young Seagulls in a delayed kick-off at Kingsmeadow.

Early control

We were controlling proceedings early on at Kingsmeadow and Harvey Vale had the first real chance as he struck a free-kick just over the bar.

Soon after, a well-worked move involving Vale and Williams saw the latter have a shot which was saved well but with the goal gaping development squad top scorer Burstow could not sort his feet out, steering the ball wide.

The away side responded, and Gabriel Slonina had to make a great stop to deny Moran after we lost the ball in a dangerous area. Barrington on the rebound struck wide.

The chances were few and far between after an entertaining first 20 minutes but on the stroke of half-time, Webster struck a shot from outside the box which crashed off the crossbar.

Brighton in command

There was enough time for Brighton to go down our end and as we failed to clear the ball out of the box Moran opened the scoring for the young Seagulls.

We started the second period slow, and the away side sensed this as they began to have more joy territorially. Cam Peupion had their best chance as a dinked cross found his head unmarked in the box, but he failed to convert.

The goal was coming, and it was Moran who drove towards goal and finished in style, firing into the top corner, leaving Slonina with no chance.

The away side were in full flow now and they extended their lead very quickly after the restart as Barrington was spotted in acres of space and after receiving the ball, he rolled it across goal to Hinshelwood who slammed home into the net.

Below par end

For the second time in the space of a week, our boys were tasked with coming back from three goals down and we managed to get one back through Castledine who was in the right place to head home from close range.

Brighton responded immediately, restoring their three-goal lead as second-half substitute O’Mahony’s delicate touch after a chipped through ball was enough to beat Slonina in goal.

That was how the game would end as Mark Robinson’s men, despite a good season, finished with defeat on the final day.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Gabriel Slonina; Brodi Hughes, Alfie Gilchrist (c), Zak Sturge, Dylan Williams; Charlie Webster, Ben Elliott (Jimi Tauriainen 66); Dion Rankine, Leo Castledine, Harvey Vale (Bryan Fiabema 83); Mason Burstow (Donnell McNeilly 83)
Unused subs: Max Merrick, Billy Gee
Booked: Castledine 81
Scorer: Castledine 74

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Killian Cahill; Sam Packham, Imari Samuels, Leigh Kavanagh, Ruairi McConville, Samy Chouchane, Cam Peupion (Jamie Mullins 80), Jack Hinchy (c) (Mark O’Mahony 70), Andy Moran (Benicio Baker-Boaitey 85), Jack Hinshelwood, Luca Barrington (Josh Duffus 70)
Unused sub: Toby Bull
Booked: Kavanagh 38
Scorers: Andy Moran 45+3, 55, Hinshelwood 57, O’Mahony 78