On Saturday, Danny Cullip led promotion-chasing Brighton to an important point at rivals Port Vale, who have one of the best home records in the Second Division. The draw at Vale Park left Martin Foyle's side needing at least two victories to overtake the Seagulls, who are currently in a play-off position. After the game Brian Beard spoke to the Brighton captain.
Q:IT WAS A GOOD DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE AGAINST VALE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SECOND HALF?
A:Yes, but it wasn't just the defence it was the whole team as well. It started from the front, with the two strikers, and then when Jake Smith came on he worked hard too so you have to say it was a good team performance.
Q:WHEN YOU TOOK AN EARLY LEAD FROM THE PENALTY DID YOU EXPECT THE SIDE TO PUSH ON AND BUILD ON THAT?
A:Yes, but we try and go forward at every opportunity. But they have a very good home record, as we have ourselves, so this has got to be seen as a good result. I think Vale are five points behind us so it was important that we didn't lose this one.
Q:THE SECOND HALF WAS BITTY AND UNTIDY WASN'T IT?
A:Yes, but that kind of thing is going to happen in the last 11 games of the season. They are fighting to get into the play-offs, and we are already in there fighting to stay there, so there is going to be a lot of that because there's a lot at stake.
Q:THE MANAGER HAS SPOKEN ABOUT THE NEED FOR A BIG STRIKER UP FRONT. HOW TOUGH HAS IT BEEN TO LOSE TREVOR BENJAMIN?
A:Everyone saw in the previous game how Trevor and Leon Knight worked very well together and on their day they are a handful, and a match for anyone in the league. But hopefully we will get another big fella in.
Q:HOW ABOUT A STINT UP FRONT FOR DANNY CULLIP? IS THERE A WANNABE STRIKER IN THERE?
A:No chance, I get a nosebleed if I go that past the half way line. I'm a centre half and that's it.
Q:THAT AWAY WIN IS STILL PROVING VERY ELUSIVE?
A:Yes, but we aren't thinking about it. We're winning our home games and are still up there and if we finish the season without an away win so be it, providing we are still in the play-offs.
Q:THREE EXCELLENT SAVES ON THE DAY FROM BEN ROBERTS?
A:Ben is a very good goalkeeper but we are lucky at the moment in that we have got three good keepers at the club but, yes, you would expect Ben to make those kinds of saves because he is well capable of them.
Q:CHESTERFIELD UP NEXT, A TOUGH ONE?
A:Yes, they have had a couple of good results recently including a win over Sheffield Wednesday, so we will have to apply ourselves in the right manner to get a result there.
