Albion under-23s beat England goalkeeper Jack Butland twice late-on at the Amex tonight to sign off their home league campaign with a win.

James Tilley and Tyler Hornby-Forbes scored in the last seven minutes to earn Simon Rusk's side a 2-0 victory over Stoke in Butland's comeback from more than a year out.

Butland, returning from a broken ankle sustained against Germany, kept Stoke on terms in the first half but could do nothing about the goals.

Albion included Norwegian central-defender Vegard Forren for his first Amex appearance since signing as emergency cover for the rest of the season last month.

Forren's previous outing in the under-23s was at the training complex in Lancing.

The Seagulls' line-up also included Finnish keeper Niki Maenpaa and Irish midfielder Richie Towell, who have both struggled for minutes in the first team.

Butland, who played under Albion boss Chris Hughton at Birmingham earlier in his career, was kept busy in the first half.

Towell forced him into a diving save with a free-kick from the edge of the area.

Butland also spread himself to foil Jordan Davies when he was released into the box by Tilley.

Stoke should have gone ahead against the run of play a minute later, Tyrese Campbell slicing wildly wide from eight yards.

The lively Tilley was no far off target from long range midway through the second half.

Stoke wanted a penalty shortly afterwards for a challenge by Forren on Lewis Banks but ref Rob Whiton ignored their appeals.

Harry Cardwell headed wide a good chance to give Albion the lead 20 minutes from time from a right-wing cross by the pacey Hornby-Forbes.

They finally got their noses in front in the 83rd minute, Tilley neatly guiding a left-foot volley at the far post past Butland from George Cox's inviting cross.

Hornby-Forbes finished Stoke off in the 89th minute, Towell setting him up for a low shot beyond Butland.

Albion (4-2-3-1): Maenpaa; Hornby-Forbes, White, Forren, Cox; Hutchinson, Towell; Davies (Dallison 82), Mandroiu (Molumby 60), Tilley; Cardwell (Hall 73). Subs not used: Collings, Barclay.

Stoke (3-5-2): Butland; Banks, Souttar, Silva; Waddington (Telford 66), Hill, Lecygne, Jarvis, Edwards; Campbell, Devlin (Edwards 66). Subs not used: Isted, Sorensen.