MICKY Adams has blamed a 'wonder goal' for his first defeat as Albion boss.

A spectacular first-half strike by Justin Jackson sent the Seagulls home empty handed from play-off hopefuls Halifax.

"They won it with a wonder goal," said Adams. "Full credit to the lad.

"We had no luck in front of goal ourselves. People should have chanced their arm a little bit more, but it wasn't our day."

Adams sympathised with Richard Barker for a glaring late miss which should have earned Albion a point. Barker headed wide from a cross by fellow substitute Andy Ansah.

"It was a golden chance and the boy was disappointed," Adams said. "But I told him not to worry. He was in the right area and as long as he keeps doing that I will have no complaints.

"Our effort and enthusiasm were spot on again. Halifax knew they had been in a game and we kept going for 90 minutes, which pleased me."

Gary Hobson, who had a solid game at the heart of the Albion defence, groaned: 'We definitely deserved something. It is still sickening to lose, despite playing well.

"We were only beaten by a very good goal. Apart from that Halifax didn't trouble us at all."

The Seagulls' tenth defeat in 13 matches has dropped them two places to 15th ahead of Saturday's penultimate match at the Priestfield Stadium against Hull.

The Reserves' Combination fixture against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday (2.0).

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