Stoke 3, Albion 1: The Seagulls suffered their third away defeat out of four in a pulsating promotion clash last night.

Peter Taylor's Seagulls fell behind in the 29th minute when Chris Iwelumo beat Michel Kuipers to a cross to head his 11th of the season.

Lee Steele celebrated his return to the starting line-up by equalising on 54 minutes, just seconds after Robbie Pethick had a penalty saved.

Arnar Gunnlaugsson put Stoke back in front from the spot four minutes later after Danny Cullip impeded Bjarni Gudjonsson inside the box.

The attack-minded Seagulls gave as good as they got throughout a cracking contest, but Clive Clarke clinched victory for Stoke on 86 minutes.

Albion made three changes to the team which drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Morgan returned after a rest in place of Adam Virgo, the fit-again Hart came in for Stoke old boy Melton and Steele was recalled upfront for his first start since January 12 at the expense of teenager Chris McPhee.

Joining Melton among the replacements was Webb, available again after a two match ban.

Stoke were unchanged following Tuesday's 4-0 home win against Bury.

Taylor sprang another tactical surprise by playing Watson on the left side of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation, Brooker partnering Steele in the attack.

Iwelumo, on target twice against Bury, made a strong run down the left in the fourth minute before crossing for Burton to head just over under pressure from Mayo.

The Seagulls responded with a deep corner by Carpenter which found Lewis whose header gave Cutler a comfortable save.

Albion were showing plenty of ambition in the early stages. Clarke headed the ball back to Hart on the edge of the box, but his volley gave Cutler another straightforward take.

Iwelumo threatened to be quite a handful for the Albion defence. He flicked on a free-kick from Thomas for Burton to deliver a dangerous low cross which none of his team mates could quite reach.

Stoke's offside trap was a risky ploy against the pace of Brooker and Steele. Brooker demonstrated his speed when Hart intercepted a crossfield pass by O'Connor to release him through the inside right channel. The scorer of Albion's spectacular equaliser against Bournemouth cut inside Shtaniuk before testing Cutler with an angled drive from 20 yards.

The game was quite open and lively, with both sides creating chances.

Stoke were the next to threaten, Burton's lay-off putting Gudjonsson through the middle for a low effort from 20 yards which the diving Kuipers pushed to safety.

The Seagulls fell behind slightly against the run of play on 29 minutes after a bad misjudgment by Kuipers. The big Dutch keeper came ten yards off his line to claim a left wing cross from Clarke but Iwelumo beat him to it to head into the vacant net.

Kuipers made amends three minutes later. He produced a superb one-handed stop from Gunnlaugsson's header when Iwelumo nodded back across the face of goal while Burton's follow-up shot found the side netting.

Gunlaugsson, back at Stoke for a second spell, collected the first caution of the contest eight minutes from the break for a foul on Watson.

Kuipers' mixed evening continued as he muffed an attempted clearance with Cullip in close attendance, which presented Stoke with their first corner.

It took an exceptional save from Cutler to prevent the Seagulls restoring parity approaching the interval. Carpenter released Brooker down the right and his cross was met at the far post by Steele with a stretching left foot volley which the former Aston Villa understudy smothered.

Kuipers redeemed himself again six minutes into the restart. Iwelumo and Gunnlaugsson combined to set up the advancing Vandeurzen for a low drive which Kuipers kept out with his legs.

The importance of that save was heightened when Albion were awarded a controversial 54th minute penalty. Thomas was adjudged by referee Jordan to have brought down Steele, but Pethick's resulting spot kick was turned behind by the diving Cutler.

Stoke's reprieve, however, lasted only seconds as Albion levelled from Watson's resulting corner. Hart's close range effort was blocked by Cutler but Steele slotted the rebound.

The explosive start to the second half continued with a booking for Pethick a minute later for tripping Iwelumo just outside the area. Gunnlaugsson curled the ensuing free-kick against the bar and in the goalmouth melee which followed Cullip pulled down Gudjonsson with an outstretched arm to give Stoke a penalty of their own.

Cullip was booked before Gunnlaugsson beat Kuipers from the spot to restore Stoke's lead.

Albion introduced Webb for Pethick just beyond the hour mark in a switch to 4-3-1-2. The substitute joined Steele, with Brooker just in behind them.

Stoke introduced the fit-again Gunnarsson for Burton a minute later and Steele collected the Seagulls third yellow card shortly after for diving just outside the Stoke area.

Steele then wasted a great chance to drag Albion level once more. Watson put him clear, but a covering challenge by Thomas forced him to check away from goal before firing wide of the far post.

Webb collected his eleventh caution of the season, seven of them for Southend, for bundling over Cutler. Both sides made further changes moments later, Melton coming on for Hart and Hoekstra replacing Gunnlaugsson.

Albion's fate was sealed four minutes from time when Clarke exchanged passes with sub Thordarson to crack an angled left foot shot past Kuipers.