By Will Jago, at Nyewood Lane

Albion's youth team progressed to the third round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet United at Nyewood Lane, thanks to an emphatic second half spell.

The home side scored twice in three minutes to secure the victory in a fiercely contested game against the physical Kent side.

In a tight opening spell, the first chance fell to Ryan Thomson, who headed over the bar from a James Smith cross.

Albion were almost caught out by the long ball early on when Billy Higgins raced through, but Albion keeper Tom Godfrey remained alert and quick to react to the danger.

George Barker opened the scoring in the 56th minute after some persistent play down the right by George Hayward. He cut the ball back to Barker 12 yards out, who smashed the ball home low through the legs of Ebbsfleet keeper Joe Hagan.

Two minutes later Hagan had a moment he would like to forget after he hesitated on a backpass giving Conor Hider the chance to charge the ball down. Hider ran 30 yards to block the clearance inside the six yard box, sending the ball into the back of the net.

The second goal livened up the visitors who created a handful of chances during the final half hour, with the best of the bunch falling to Higgins, who headed straight at Godfrey from six yards out.

Azeez Larne had a great chance to pull one back for the visitors, but failed to hit the target from inside the 18 yard box.

The Seagulls have been drawn away at Northampton Town in the third round, with details to be confirmed on seagulls.co.uk when they become available.

Albion: (4-4-2) Godfrey; Cooper, Dunk, Strong, Smith; Hayward, Wilkins (Caskey 65), Thomson, Redwood (Bolwell 78); Hider, Barker (Vickers 84). Subs not used: James (GK), Woodley.