The Seagulls have sliped to just 2 points above the relegation zone following a 1-0 defeat away to Brentford thanks to a first half goal from Jo Kuffour. Albion’s day was made even worse as Kerry Mayo was sent off for two yellow cards.

 

 

 

 

Brentford: Abbey, Frampton, Richards, Tillen, Wilson, Keith, Mousinho, Leary (O’Connor 64), Ide, Kuffour, Shipperley.
Subs Not Used: Masters, Brooker, Willock, Osborne.

Booked: Frampton, Richards.

Goals: Kuffour 31.

Brighton: Kuipers, Mayo, Lynch, O’Cearuill (Rents 84), El-Abd, Ward (Savage 46), Butters (Gatting 87), Bertin, Cox, Hammond, Robinson.
Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Fraser.

Sent Off: Mayo (45).

Booked: Mayo, O’Cearuill, Bertin.

Att: 7,023

Ref: K Hill (Hertfordshire).
 

French midfielder Alexis Bertin was handed his full debut at the expense of new striker Bas Savage who dropped down to the bench. Upfront Jake Robinson was joined by Dean Cox who played a deeper role behind Robinson in a 4-4-2 formation which ended up looking more like a 4-5-1 for much of the game. 
 
Brentford came into the game on the back of an impressive 3-1 away win at Blackpool and right from the off you could tell that Albion’s relegation rivals were playing with some new found belief. 
 
The games only goal came on 31 minutes when the impressive Jo Kuffour grabbed his 12th goal of the season. Alexis Bertin lost the ball in midfield and Neil Shipperley played a through ball to Kuffour who ran clear of the Seagulls back four to calmly slot the ball past Michel Kuipers. 
 
A mix up between Albion keeper Michel Kuipers and on loan QPR midfielder Nick Ward almost resulted in a highly embarrassing early goal for the home side. Rather than clear the ball upfield Ward played the ball across his area forcing Michel Kuipers to rush off his line to clear the ball, but the Dutch keeper made a hash of his clearance with the ball falling to Brentford’s Joe Keith who narrowly shot wide. 
 
As for the Albion they were passing the ball around well but failed to really open up the Bees defence. Upfront Jake Robinson looked out of his depth as a lone striker with the ball failing to stick with the young striker. 
 
Brentford’s right winger Charlie Ide was giving Albion left back Kerry Mayo a torrid time and it was no surprise he received his marching orders just before half time for his second yellow card for a foul on the tricky winger. 
 
Wilkins rung the changes at half time with Bas Savage coming on in place of Nick Ward with Dean Cox moving back into midfield. It was a move which improved the Seagulls performance although that elusive goal still failed to materialise. 

Headers from Dean Hammond and Bas Savage forced Nathan Abbey in the Bees goal into routine saves early one while the home side continued to push forward looking for the killer second goal. 

Albion’s best chance of the half fell to Savage. A good run forward from Dean Cox who played in Jake Robinson who was tackled at the last minute by Michael Leary and the loose ball fell to Savage but his low shot was saved by the legs of Brentford keeper Abbey. 
 
At the other end Brentford wasted several good chances to extend their lead. The best of those chances falling to Sam Tillen who ran into the area following a one-two with the plump Neil Shipperley but Tillen had his effort brilliantly saved by Kuipers. 
 
It wasn’t until the final few minutes of the game that the Seagulls finally went all out to grab a goal. Guy Butters was replaced by Joe Gatting as the Seagulls switched to 3 at the back. The move forced Brentford into some desperate last ditch defending to hold onto a vital 3 points and only their 4th win in the league at Griffin Park this season. 
 
As for the Albion they now take on 4th from bottom Leyton Orient on Tuesday just 2 points better off than their East London relegation rivals. Another defeat before the visits of Nottingham Forest and Bristol City will surely leave the Seagulls sweating on League One survival.

 

 

 

Added on Sunday, February 11th, 2007 at 2:38 pm under Match reports by Wilka.