Relive Brighton's win over Forest

1. First Football League game of 2015-16 season
2. Kazenga LuaLua scores winner for Brighton
3. Both sides hit post in opening 22 minutes

FT: Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

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So, Brighton have made the ideal start to the season, winning their opening game for the first time in four years.

You can read our match report here.

Do join us again tomorrow lunchtime, for live coverage of Cardiff v Fulham and Leeds v Burnley from 11:45 BST.

All the best to you and your team this season, and thanks for joining us.

FT: Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

There were positives for Forest though, in particular Matt Mills' impressive, debut performance at the back - he looked solid and dependable, and was very vocal in the Reds' backline.

But at the other end, they didn't create enough chances for Dexter Blackstock.

FT: Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

So Kazenga LuaLua's second-half goal is enough to send Brighton, temporarily at least, to the top of the Championship.

Both teams hit the post in the first half, before a stunning save by Forest keeper Dorus de Vries kept things goalless at the break.

In the end, LuaLua's winner gave Brighton a deserved victory and Forest will be hoping for much better than that for the rest of this season. They are missing key players through injury, so perhaps there is plenty more to come from them.

FULL-TIME

The whistle goes and Brighton have won the opening game of the 2015-16 Football League season.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Brighton have a corner and that's exactly where they want the ball to be. Forest are running out of time to salvage anything from this game.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Solly Marsh has a chance to finish this once and for all, but volleys over.

We'll now have four minutes of additional time.

SUBSTITUTION

And the winger is replaced, to much applause. Kazenga LuaLua comes off for debutant Liam Rosenior.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

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As things stand, it's Kazenga LuaLua's low strike that separates these two teams.

It's been a lively, 'eight out of 10' performance from the winger - although my colleague is offering a 6.7 for the very acrobatic celebration.

YELLOW CARD (LuaLua)

We have a sixth booking of the night and this time it is the goalscorer, Kazenga LuaLua, who goes into the referee's book.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Forest's Tyler Walker gets a shot away but that is comfortably gathered by David Stockdale. Can the visitors level, late in the match? Walker has certainly put himself about since coming on.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Jamie Paterson replaces Jamie Ward for Forest, as they search for a late equaliser. For Brighton, Chris O'Grady replaces Sam Baldock, as both teams make a change.

CLOSE!

Lewis Dunk somehow gets his body in the way to prevent Dexter Blackstock equalising for Forest.

It was a long throw into the box, which nobody dealt with until it was almost a goalmouth scramble, but Brighton clear the danger eventually.

SUBSTITUTION

Rohan Ince replaces Tomer Hemed for Brighton.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Tyler Walker breaks with pace for Forest and his shot is well saved by David Stockdale. Brighton eventually get the ball behind for a corner.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Henri Lansbury, who clipped the post with a curling free-kick in the first half, can't find the target with another dead-ball effort, which this time goes high of the woodwork. Forest having a decent spell but they haven't yet found a breakthrough.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

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Forest have two up front now after the introduction of Tyler Walker. Can that change the game for them?

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Tyler Walker has a chance to make an instant impact, after a good cut-back from Michail Antonio, but he can't get a sweet connection on the ball and his tame shot trickles wide. That was a good chance for Forest.

SUBSTITUTION

Tyler Walker, son of Des, comes on to replace Danny Fox for Forest. An attacking move from Dougie Freedman.

Immediately afterwards, Solly March has a chance for Brighton but his low shot hits the side netting.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Brighton's Lewis Dunk does very well to head a cross behind, under pressure from Forest's Dexter Blackstock. Good defending.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

The Brighton fans have certainly found their voices now. Optimism is in the air at the Amex Stadium!

Kazenga Lua Lua fires wide from a tight angle, as the hosts continue to threaten. Maybe he's still a little dizzy from the somersaults he performed during his goal celebration...

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YELLOW CARD (Baldock)

Forest's Danny Fox sends a free-kick into row Z, prompting whistles from the Brighton fans.

In the build-up to that set-piece, Sam Baldock was booked for the hosts for dissent.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have a free-kick towards the byline. Henri Lansbury fires the ball across goal and David Stockdale palms it clear, diverting it away from the waiting Forest heads.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Michail Antonio lashes a shot high and wide for Forest at the other end, but from that far out, it would have to have been quite some strike to beat David Stockdale.

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

As you can imagine, the crowd loved that.

Kazenga LuaLua has looked in the mood tonight and that goal came after he saw two of his efforts saved in the first half. He has started the season with a bang.

GOAL (LuaLua)

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Kazenga LuaLua breaks the deadlock for this 2015-16 Football League season and it's a confident finish from the winger.

From the corner of the penalty area, he shoots low and hard with his left foot across the face of goal and it nestles nicely in the far, bottom corner.

Brighton are ahead, and they probably deserve that.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Forest's Dexter Blackstock is the target for a long, high ball forward but he can't get the ball under control. Forest will want to get the ball to his feet a bit more in this half.

Zamora returns to Brighton

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New Brighton signing Bobby Zamora spoke to Sky Sports at half-time:

"I'm delighted to be back. Everyone knows what this club means to me. I'm over the moon. It'll be nice to get out there and play in this lovely stadium.

"I thought they (Brighton) dominated Forest in that first half and we should be 1-0 up. In the next 45 minutes, hopefully we'll put some away."

KICK-OFF

We are back under way here at the Amex Stadium. Which of these two teams will be going top of the Championship tonight?

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

So, how do you see this second half going? Will Forest improve after half-time, or will Brighton find the breakthrough that eluded them before the break?

Get involved and tell us what you think, using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

5 live's Football League preview

Missed BBC Radio 5 live's Football League preview show? Fear not - you can listen by clicking on the Live Coverage tab.

Among the contributors were Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer and Preston North End boss Simon Grayson.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

OptaJoe on Twitter: 61% - Nottingham Forest completed only 61% of their passes in the first half tonight. Their average last season was 73%.

Who would make the team?

There are some stellar names among the 72 managers in the Football League, so we compiled what we think is the ultimate Football League Managers XI - and it is a pretty useful line-up.

BBC Sport

With 312 international caps, four Champions League trophies, three Premier League winners' medals, eight Scottish Premiership titles and a Turkish Cup between them, it is clear the men on the Football League touchlines this weekend had plenty of quality in their day.

Agree with our selection?

HT: Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Right then, while the players take a breather, we can tell you about a couple of things you may have missed on BBC Sport earlier this week...

HT: Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

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So a goalless first 45 minutes at the Amex Stadium, but both teams have struck the woodwork in what has been a thoroughly enjoyable game so far.

I think Brighton fans will be very encouraged by what they have seen from their side so far, as they have created by far the better of the chances.

As for Forest, they remain level thanks mainly to that outstanding, reaction stop from Dorus de Vries to deny Tomer Hemed.

HALF-TIME

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So, we're 45 minutes into the new Football League season.

No goals so far, but plenty of entertainment and an early contender for "save of the season" provided by Brighton and Nottingham Forest in our opening match of the campaign.

GREAT SAVE!

That is a stunning, one-handed save from Forest goalkeeper Dorus de Vries to deny Tomer Hemed a debut goal right at the end of this half.

Solly March whips in a decent left-footed cross, Temed times his jump perfectly and powers his header goalwards, but the Forest keeper somehow claws it out.

Wonderful save.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Two added minutes have been indicated by the fourth official.

YELLOW CARD (Kayal)

Albion's Beram Kayal gets his name in the book for an untidy challenge on Forest skipper Henri Lansbury.

SUBSTITUTION

In fact, Robert Tesche can't continue, and the Forest midfielder is replaced by David Vaughan.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Daniel Kelly: This game needs a goal. Brighton looking the more likely, been a good half for them!

Stuie Neale: Good half so far for me, end to end.

Send us your thoughts using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

The visitors' Robert Tesche is receiving some treatment on the sidelines after a collision. He looks like he will continue, for at least the time being.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

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Brighton are most certainly on top here and Forest boss Dougie Freedman will want to see his side keep the ball a lot more in the rest of this half, as they have been camped in their own defensive third a fair bit so far.

CLOSE!

The hosts' Sam Baldock has time and space on the edge of the area and wraps his foot around a placed effort aimed for the top corner, but it goes narrowly, narrowly wide. We remain goalless, but this is a good spell for Brighton.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

This is unusual - the referee's assistant appears to have something in his eye. The referee Keith Stroud goes over to help him out, and it's nothing to worry about, so we resume...

YELLOW CARD (Stephens)

The referee goes back to book Brighton's Dale Stephens for clipping Michail Antonio during that Forest counter-attack. That looks slightly harsh...

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

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Solly March wins yet another corner for Brighton, but Forest clear the danger once again and go straight down the other end, where Michail Antonio's swerving effort is palmed away by David Stockdale.

It may have been going just wide anyway, but that's a good, one-handed stop from the keeper.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Brighton's Dale Stephens sends over a good cross but Lewis Dunk can't get there first.

The hosts then have their fourth corner of the evening but it is easily cleared by Forest.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

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Thoughts on this first half so far? Get involved using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

HITS THE WOODWORK

The ball falls to Brighton's Beram Kayal just outside the box and he hits a sweet, low strike that ricochets off the foot of the post.

Both sides have now hit the woodwork in this first half.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

At the other end, Michael Antonio's cross finds Dexter Blackstock, but he heads wide for Nottingham Forest from 12 yards.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Brighton are on top at the moment and Tomer Hemed has their latest half-chance, but he can't get enough power on his header to beat the goalkeeper.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Brighton's Kazenga LuaLua has another low effort on goal, but again it goes straight at Dorus de Vries. The winger looks to have the beating of both Forest wing-backs, though.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

The "As It Stands" table makes good reading for Brighton and Nottingham Forest fans at the moment. They're occupying the two automatic promotion spots. They'll take that in May, I think.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Brighton full-back Gaetan Bong darts forward down the left and sends over a dangerous cross aimed for Tomer Hemed, but he can't quite reach it. Albion will be satisfied with how they've started.

YELLOW CARD (Lichaj)

Nottingham Forest's Eric Lichaj picks up the first booking of the season for a lunge on Kazenga LuaLua and the resulting free-kick is deflected high and wide for a corner, which is easily cleared.

Forest to make another flying start?

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They so nearly began the 2015-16 season in style too, but Henri Lansbury's free-kick struck the wrong side of the post from a Forest perspective.

In contrast, Brighton have lost their opening game in each of the last three seasons.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Nottingham Forest have a free-kick about 30 yards out. Henri Lansbury hits it beautifully and clips the outside of the post. That was close!

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

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Brighton winger Kazenga LuaLua has the first effort on goal of the season and it is a fierce, low shot that goes straight at Forest goalkeeper Dorus de Vries, after good work from Solly March.

That's a positive start from the hosts.

Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

As Chris Hughton explained before kick-off, Brighton are playing 4-4-2 tonight, with Tomer Hemed and Sam Baldock up front.

We're still waiting for the first chance of the evening, but both sides are attempting to give everyone an early touch of the ball.

KICK-OFF

Brighton kick us off, we are under way at the Amex Stadium and the 2015-16 Football League season has officially begun!

The teams are out...

Here we go. The wait is almost over. Who's ready for another season?

The manager's view - Dougie Freedman

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman has been speaking to Sky Sports about debutants Jamie Ward and Matt Mills:

"They're both good, experienced players in this division. I'm hoping they'll bring the quality and desire to defend that we need.

"I'm delighted with the business we've done but I'm still looking to get more signings in.

"We've freshened the squad up a little bit with new faces. We've prepared very well in terms of fitness over pre-season. We're feeling very confident."

Zamora returns

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Bobby Zamora may not be playing for Brighton tonight, but he got a great reception when he was introduced to Brighton's fans a few moments ago.

You sense that he is one summer signing who will prove to be an instant hit at the Amex Stadium.

The manager's view - Chris Hughton

Brighton boss Chris Hughton has been speaking to Sky Sports about new signing Bobby Zamora, who is not involved tonight:

"He's a wonderful signing. He wouldn't be up to speed with where the other players are. We're just assessing the very quick progress he can make.

"He's in good shape, but probably not enough to risk him tonight.

"The only thing we've changed tonight is the shape a little bit. We'll work that 4-4-2 system the best way we can. We think we know what we're going to be up against today."

Line-ups

Brighton: Stockdale; Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bong; March, Stephens, Kayal, LuaLua; Hemed, Baldock.

Subs: Maenpaa, Calderon, Rea, Rosenior, Forster-Caskey, Ince, O'Grady.

Nottingham Forest: De Vries; Lichaj, Mancienne, Hobbs, Mills, Fox; Lansbury, Antonio, Tesche; Ward, Blackstock.

Subs: Evtimov, Paterson, Vaughan, Walker, Burke, Riera, Grant.

The wait is almost over...

The Amex Stadium portrays the classic August-match scene at the moment. Short-sleeved replica shirts are aplenty.

Conditions look perfect, and Brighton's new signing Bobby Zamora has just been introduced to the home fans.

Some thoughts from both managers in a second, but first, a reminder of tonight's team news...

Football League's stories to watch

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The Football League rarely fails to deliver a story. Take last season, for example.

There was Bournemouth's rise, Derby's demise, Wigan's relegation woe, Blackpool's off-field turmoil, Bristol City's brilliance and joy for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Burton.

What stories should we be looking out for in 2015-16? Read Phil Cartwright's Football League preview.

Follow the Football League with BBC Sport

Tonight's game is the first of 1,671 matches to be played in the Football League this season.

BBC Sport will provide written match reports of every Championship, League One and League Two game throughout the season, as well as live text commentaries of selected fixtures.

Cardiff City v Fulham and Leeds United v Burnley are our featured matches on Saturday, and that's followed on Sunday by Preston North End v Middlesbrough. On both days, our live text coverage begins at 11:45 BST.

A risk worth taking?

The battle for promotion looks to be just as wide open as it ever has been, and with more television revenue on offer for reaching the top flight next season, it's perhaps more important than ever to go up.

How much are clubs willing to risk spending to reach the Premier League?

Championship sides are sacrificing short-term profit in order to chase a lucrative place in the top division, according to new research.

Only 12% of Championship clubs surveyed expect to make a profit in 2015-16.

BBC

Room for improvement

Neither of these two teams finished the 2014-15 season in the best of form, both failing to win any of their last seven games, with Nottingham Forest's winless run stretching to eight matches.

Tonight's hosts Brighton have not won a league game at home since beating Derby 2-0 on 3 March. Visitors Forest have not won on the road since a 3-0 victory at Reading on 28 February.

BBC local radio coverage

Adrian Harms / BBC Sussex

We love a good stat at BBC Sport, and here's a decent one to start the new season with - BBC local radio stations will provide about 2,500 commentaries during the 2015-16 campaign.

BBC Sussex and BBC Radio Nottingham are broadcasting live from the Amex Stadium this evening.

Unfortunately, a rights issue prevents us from streaming Football League commentaries on the BBC Sport website.

However, you can listen to both station's pre-match programmes by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

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So, Brighton fans have to wait a little longer before welcoming back former England striker Bobby Zamora, who is back at the club 12 years after leaving to sign for Tottenham.

He's not the only player back in familiar colours this weekend. On Sunday, Stewart Downing is likely to be back in a Middlesbrough shirt for the first time in six years.

Which former player would you welcome back to your club with open arms? Let us know using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

A colleague in my office, who shall remain nameless, still believes Neil Redfearn could do a decent job in Barnsley's midfield - even though Redfearn is now aged 50.

BreakingTeam news

BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman gives debuts to defender Matt Mills and striker Jamie Ward. Michail Antonio, linked with Premier League sides during the summer, also starts for the visitors.

BreakingTeam news

BBC Sport

There's no place in the squad for Bobby Zamora, but there is a Brighton debut for another new signing - Israel international striker Tomer Hemed starts up front alongside Sam Baldock. Another new signing, Cameroon defender Gaetan Bong, is included at left-back.

A fresh start

The first game of the new Championship season sees Brighton & Hove Albion host Nottingham Forest at The Amex Stadium tonight.

Both of these teams will be desperate to get off to a good start, after disappointing seasons last time around.

Over the next 10 months, there will be countless twists and turns in what promises to be another fiercely-competitive Championship campaign.

But there are few things quite as reassuring as kicking things off with a win, are there?

Football's back!

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Just 74 days ago, Norwich City beat Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at Wembley to bring down the curtain on the 2014-15 season.

Since then, it's been a summer packed full to the brim with signings, fresh faces and a sensational session from Stuart Broad.

But tonight, the Football League is back!