Only way is up for Hatters keeper Walton

The 20-year-old stopper was a dominant presence against his former club, keeping a well deserved clean sheet, with his constant communication and willingness to come for crosses noticeable throughout the 90 minutes.

An impressed Cuthbert said: “I try and stay on him in training and think he’s fed up of listening to me.

“I’m on him constantly telling him, ‘talk to me, talk to me,’ as there’s nothing better for a defender than hearing a big, loud commanding voice behind.

“There was nothing better in the last 15-20 minutes when he must have come for four or five, six balls, and just clutched them from the air.

“It takes the pressure right off the back-line and he was different class.

“You can see why Brighton speak so highly of him and why the gaffer speaks so highly of him.

“The only way is up for him and hopefully he can continue that.”

Boss Nathan Jones added: “I thought he was excellent, but he is what I know he is and know what he has to develop into.

“He has every tool to be a top, top goalkeeper. We believe we can get that out of him and that’s why Brighton have trusted us with him, so lets see.”