FA Cup: FC United 0 Brighton 4

Brighton made light work of FC United in their FA Cup second round replay, prevailing 4-0 on Wednesday over the non-league club.

Having drawn 1-1 at home in November’s first leg, Brighton appeared keen to avoid an early FA Cup upset and went ahead after 25 minutes through Francisco Sandaza’s close-range finish.

With half-time just moments away, the League One outfit doubled their advantage when Sandaza turned provider for fellow Spaniard Inigo Calderon to score.

FC United – founded by a group of disillusioned Manchester United fans in 2005 – missed an avenue back into the clash when Jake Cotterill hit the post with his penalty kick on 68 minutes.

Elliott Bennett made no mistake from the spot to make it 3-0 on 86 minutes, with midfielder Matt Sparrow rounding out the rout in injury time.

Brighton’s reward is a third-round encounter with Portsmouth on January 8.