Monday 16 May 2016 23:51, UK
Chris Hughton has praised the performance of his Brighton players as they suffered Championship play-off heartbreak against Sheffield Wednesday.
The Seagulls finished 15 points clear of their semi-final opponents but were beaten 3-1 on aggregate to end their hopes of promotion to the Premier League.
The Yorkshire side held a 2-0 advantage from the first leg at Hillsborough, but despite Lewis Dunk netting for Brighton, Ross Wallace equalised for the Owls and the hosts were unable to find another reply.
Manager Hughton was full of praise for his players, who missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference, and thought his side deserved more from the match.
"Yes, it is a tough night because I didn't think it was a correct scoreline, I thought we had the better chances," Hughton told Sky Sports following the game.
"Unfortunately for us, we've gone through a period in the last few games where things have gone against us either with decisions or injuries but I've got a group of players in there who have been magnificent all season.
"They were never out of that top six and in that top three for most of the season and what they have got to do is use this as inspiration. It's tough at the moment for them but they have to use it to replicate it next season and to do that, they've got to do what they've done all this season.
"They've been excellent to work with, their application every day and it's as good of a team spirit as I've seen as a manager or a coach. I hope they can use that and today's events and the events during the season to be better next season.
"Finishing so many points clear of sixth place, it's tough but that's how it is, but they will be better players for it and more experienced for it."
Brighton will be joined by Aston Villa, Newcastle and Norwich in the Championship next season, and Hughton thinks the league will only get more difficult as those sides battle for a return to the Premier League.
Hughton said: "I think this division will continue to get tougher. It's tough enough as it is anyway with the amount of games that you play and the level of performance from most of the teams.
"We went through a big chunk of this season winning games probably by a goal which is how tight the margins were so we'll find it tougher but the three teams coming down will also find out how tough it is. We have to use that to our advantage and come again strong next season."
