Harry Cardwell was on target as Albion under-23s beat leaders Swansea City 1-0 in Premier League division two at Crawley Town last night.

Cardwell, who joined the Seagulls on loan from Reading for the rest of the season last month, finished from a tight angle in the 16th minute after being set up by Jordan Davies.

Albion, who lost full-back Sam Adekugbe to injury after just 15 minutes, had to defend stubbornly to protect their slender advantage and almost had it snatched away from them right at the death when Ollie McBurnie headed against a post.

Midfielder Richie Towell made it through 90 minutes unscathed but Liam Rosenior did not feature after his comeback from a knee injury suffered a setback.

Albion were also without former Motherwell defender Ben Hall because of a one-match ban and striker Aaron Connolly, who is away with the Republic of Ireland under-17s.

Albion: Sanchez; Collar (Hornby-Forbes 76), White, Dallison, Adekugbe (Cox 15); Tilley (Barclay 66), Hutchinson, Towell, J.Davies; Bjordal; Cardwell. Subs not used: Collings, Barnett.