The LDV Trophy may not be the the most glamorous of competitions but it does represent the best chance QPR have of winning a cup competition this season. so it was no surprise to see Ian Holloway pick a strong team for this quarter final tie.

Chris Day was missing through injury so Nick Culkin started in goal. Gino Padula was suspended giving Richard Edghill a start at left back but the rest of the side remained unchanged from last weeks win over Sheffield Wednesday.

We started the game attacking towards the School end where Brighton had brought some pretty impressive support for a Sunday lunchtime game and were making all the noise early on. Brighton started the brighter of the two teams with on loan Mark Yeates looking impressive but the Ranger defence was looking strong.

Rangers first chance came to Rowlands who fired a shot straight out of the stadium much to the amusement of both sets of supporters. Brighton were looking dangerous on the break and Haring went close for the visitors shooting just wide as his shot grazed off the post. Carlisle was having a very good game at the back though winning everything in the air and they were finding it impossible to get in behind him.

Coming up to the 20 minute mark we won out first corner and it soon produced our first goal. Rowlands curled it long to the far post for Palmer to head goal wards the keeper made a real hash of it catching it then dropping it over the goal line before hacking clear but the linesmen gave the goal and we were ahead. Palmer looked shocked to have scored in two games on the trot and we had the lead in similar circumstances to the last round.

We soon got a second goal and this was a quality goal. We were looking very confident and Ainsworth did brilliantly to slot Thorpe clear with a quality pass. Thorpe saw the keeper off his line and produced a superb chip to leave the keeper looking like David Seaman in the last World Cup running back flapping his hands in the air as Thorpe ran off to celebrate. 2-0 and in all honesty it looked like game over.

Brighton kept going and Butters should have scored with a free header from a corner but we were well in control and all Leon Knight could do was fall over whenever he touched the ball. Some of his dives were outrageous and quite how he got away without a booking is beyond me, No idea why he felt the need to do this as we all know he is a quality player and can do far more damage when he gets his head right rather than try and get other players booked.

We had more chances to extend our lead as Gallen turned and unleashed a strong volley but the keeper did well to push it away. Then a great passing move should have given us a third goal. Carlisle ran out of defence and played it to Ainsworth who in turn found Gallen. Carlisle continued to run forward and Gallen found him with a great cross and the diving header by Carlisle was well saved.

The half ended with a good save by Culkin from a Yeates shot but we were well worthy of the two goal lead at half time.

The second half saw Brighton throw everything forward and within a few minutes they made three substitutions as they went all out to get back in the game. Rangers looked content to hold on to what we had with Carlisle winning everything in the air and Bean was excellent again in midfield allowing them no time on the ball.

When we did break we caused problems with some quality football but chances were few and far between. Rowlands had out best chance shooting just wide after a good break involving Gallen and Thorpe.

Leon Knight then made himself public enemy number one. After several dives to win free kicks he went over like he'd been shot as Culkin gathered a free kick. I have no idea what happened but after lots of pushing and shoving the ref spoke to his linesmen and decided to book Knight so clearly he was once again trying to cheat.

Rangers decided to begin to make changes with Gareth Ainsworth making way for Paul Furlong and like last week this meant Gallen went to the right wing. It took a while to settle down with this change and Brighton took advantage and got back in the game. Mcphee hit a shot from the edge of the area which took a big deflection from Carlisle and looped over Culkin to give Brighton a lifeline.

It was panic stations now as they threw everything at us and twice Calking was called into action making some excellent saves. But Rangers soon settled down and took control again playing in the Brighton half and without looking like scoring we saw the game out to hang on for victory.

The last key moment saw Matthew Rose return to first team action after six months out through various injuries. It was great to see him back and he looked pretty good in his central midfield position.

So Rangers hung on to a deserved win and now head into the LDV Area Semi FInal in January and QPR have a great chance to do the LDV and League double this season if we can keep up this current form.

Man of the Match: Clarke Carlisle

Players Ratings:

13. Nick Culkin: A good performance from Culkin,. He made several good saves and his kicking was much improved. 7/10

2. Terrell Forbes: Did very little wrong and once again looked solid in defence. 7/10

23. Richard Edghill: A very able replacement for Gino. His free kicks are not as good as Gino but he defended well and tries to pass the ball. 7/10

5. Clarke Carlisle: Dominated in the air and hardly gave the front two a kick with a excellent performance. 8/10

6. Danny Shittu: Getting back to his best but still looks a little way off from his early season form. 7/10

11. Gareth Ainsworth: Worked hard and set up the second goal with an excellent pass. 7/10

17. Marcus Bean: Another hard working display as he won the ball for us in midfield and never gave Brighton a moments peace. 7/10

4. Steve Palmer: Another goal for the captain and another excellent performance. 7/10

14. Martin Rowlands: Not at his best but showed glimpses of skill which make him stand out in this division. 7/10

9. Tony Thorpe: Great finish for his goal to make him the clubs top scorer with seven goals 7/10

10. Kevin Gallen: Worked hard and almost grabbed a goal in the first half but another good display. 7/10

Subs

29. Paul Furlong: Looked a bit sharper than he did last week. Shame he's set for a three match ban now. 7/10

7. Matthew Rose: Great to see him back and he'll be useful cover for us over the busy Christmas period. 7/10