OXFORD United bowed out of the EFL Cup – but do not be fooled by the scoreline.

With 15 minutes remaining the home side fancied their chances with the second round tie locked at 1-1.

But Brighton & Hove Albion found an extra gear in the closing stages, with Kazenga LuaLua, Elvis Manu and Tomer Hemed all finding the net.

It was harsh on the U’s, who had recovered well after conceding to Sam Adekugbe in the second minute.

Wes Thomas levelled the scores with his third of the season and the underdogs held their own, admittedly with goalkeeper Simon Eastwood shining between the sticks.

But the U’s goalkeeper was powerless in the closing stages to stop Brighton progressing, although Dan Crowley did reduce the arrears in stoppage time with an accomplished finish.

As expected, the teamsheet revealed contrasting approaches to the tie.

The hosts made three changes, one of which – Sam Long in for the cup-tied Phil Edwards – was enforced.

Tyler Roberts and Joe Rothwell also came in for their first starts, as Alex MacDonald and Chris Maguire dropped to the bench.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton swapped his entire XI, but within 67 seconds they were ahead.

Oliver Norwood slipped a pass to charging left back Adekugbe, who sped away from Long before firing a rising shot which was so powerful it flew into the net past a stunned Eastwood.

Brighton had won a pre-season friendly 4-0 at the Kassam Stadium and a similar beating looked on the cards when Jamie Murphy streaked clear in the fourth minute.

He rolled the ball across for LuaLua, who blazed off target from eight yards when he should have scored.

Eastwood was also busy, smothering an effort from Manu on the 15-minute mark as United fought to stay afloat.

Gradually, though, they began to see more of the ball.

Brighton’s back four was inexperienced and when United began to put them under pressure, the visitors did not look so comfortable.

Rothwell had already shown some bright touches, but when he switched to the left midway through the half the summer signing began to have more of an influence.

Positive whenever he got the ball, the former Manchester United trainee began the move which saw United level on 28 minutes.

He threaded a pass into Thomas, whose sharp turn opened up Brighton. The ball fell for Kane Hemmings, whose shot was blocked by Adekugbe on the line and rebounded for Thomas to lash home.

Parity was almost wiped out within seconds. Brighton burst forward with a three-on-one attack, but not for the first time this season, Eastwood bailed United out with an important block.

The increasingly impressive Rothwell came as close as anyone to a goal in the closing stages of the half, curling a 20-yard shot just wide United were indebted to Eastwood for two fine saves early in the second half to keep the scores level.

First, he denied a suspiciously offside-looking Manu with his right foot, before getting a left hand to keep out Norwood’s well-struck free-kick.

The home fans had reasons to be optimistic, though.

United moved the ball well and caused problems, although the clearest chance was a 25-yard shot from Roberts which Niki Maenpaa parried to safety.

They were just beginning to fancy their chances, when Brighton made another breakthrough.

Dunkley cut out a chipped pass aimed at Manu, but the ball fell to LuaLua, who lashed a fierce shot into the net from 20 yards.

United battled back and had two chances in a matter of seconds to level the game again.

Ruffels should have scored from Alex MacDonald’s cross but was denied by Maenpaa, who could only watch as Lundstram rattled the crossbar from 20 yards on the rebound.

Brighton broke and within seconds Manu made it 3-1 with a neat finish.

Hemed quickly added a fourth to send Brighton into the third round, giving the scoreline an unwarranted, lopsided look.

Crowley had the final word, curling the ball into the net from 20 yards with virtually the final kick of the game.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Eastwood, Long, Dunkley, Skarz, Ruffels, T Roberts, Sercombe, Lundstram, Rothwell, Thomas, Hemmings.

Subs used: MacDonald (T Roberts 72), Taylor (Hemmings 77), Crowley (Thomas 81).

Unused subs: Buchel, Martin, Welch-Hayes, Maguire.

Booked: None.

Brighton (4-3-3): Maenpaa, Hunt, Huenemeier (Hemed 62), White, Adekugbe, Norwood, Ince, Holla, Murphy, Manu (Tilley 87), LuaLua (Baldock 83).

Unused subs: Ankergren, Cadman, Kayal, Skalak.

Booked: Hunemeier, Adekugbe.

Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

Attendance: 3,189 (677 visitors).