Albion stung by Bees

Adams, named top Second Division boss for September, saw the Seagulls beaten at Withdean in the League for the first time since New Year's Day.

Martin Rowlands drilled Brentford into a 26 minute lead.

The Seagulls were out of sorts in the first half, but they perked up when Adams brought on Lee Steele and Gary Hart for the second half.

Steele levelled with his third goal of the season on 52 minutes to raise Albion's hopes of a 13th straight home League victory.

The dream was dashed when Ivar Ingimarsson latched on to a rare blunder by Paul Watson with 16 minutes left to give Steve Coppell's Brentford the points.

Albion made one change to the team which drew 1-1 at Cardiff, Paul Brooker replacing Hart on the right flank.

Brentford were without right-back Michael Dobson and promising striker Ben Burgess, who was on Eire under-21 duty.

O'Connor and Rowlands came into the side which ended a five-match run without a win by beating Colchester 4-1 at home last Saturday.

Adams decided against recalling Steele up front alongside Zamora, opting instead for the 4-3-3 system which served the Seagulls so well for most of last season.

Brentford began quite brightly and they came close to scoring in the third minute.

A sweetly struck left foot shot by former Torquay player Gibbs from 35 yards flashed just wide with Kuipers at full stretch.

Brooker, on target when the teams last met in the LDV Vans Trophy in January, tracked back well to deny Gibbs as O'Connor tried to release him in a quick counter-attack by the visitors.

Albion could not make much impression on the Brentford defence in the early stages.

Their best attacking moments involved Brooker, Watson and Zamora, who combined effectively on a couple of occasions down the right.

Carpenter fired well wide from long range and Rogers headed over from a corner by Watson, making his 100th League appearance for Albion against his former club.

A poor goal kick by Kuipers midway through the half was seized upon by Rowlands, who made progress into the Albion area.

He linked with Owusu and Cullip had to make an important challenge, but the ball fell invitingly to O'Connor.

Kuipers redeemed himself by saving the shot, although it was stroked wastefully at him by O'Connor from 15 yards.

A set piece routine straight off the training ground almost produced the lead for Albion on 26 minutes.

Watson's free kick was headed back by Cullip for Carpenter to cross instantly into the danger zone. Zamora's swivelling half volley from eight yards flew straight at Gottskalksson.

Brentford stunned the Seagulls by going in front moments later. Rowlands cut in from the right flank to strike a low angled drive from just outside the area which sped past the diving Kuipers.

Albion now faced a test of character to preserve their impressive home League run.

It was the first time they had fallen behind in the Second Division at Withdean since the opening home game against Wigan, when they fought back to win 2-1.

Watson collected the first caution of the contest on 32 minutes for a foul on Gibbs just inside the Albion half.

The Seagulls were finding it difficult to get in behind Brentford's well organised rear guard, although Mayo managed to when Jones chipped pass put him into space close to the corner flag.

The cross was a penetrating one which Gottskalksson had to punch clear under pressure from Rogers.

Although chances had been few and far between at both ends, Brentford just about deserved their advantage on the balance of play.

Cullip was a little fortunate in first half injury time when his attempted clearance hit Owusu and fell into the bustling Brentford striker's path.

Owusu appeared to out-muscle Cullip legitimately, but referee Curson came to the Seagulls' rescue by awarding a free kick.

Brentford's full-backs combined to create an opportunity shortly afterwards.

Anderson's deep cross from the left wing found Price in space beyond the far post, but he failed to connect properly as Kuipers made a comfortable catch.

Zamora had lacked support in the opening 45 minutes, so it came as no surprise when Adams made a double substitution for the second half.

Steele replaced skipper Rogers and Hart came on for Jones as the Seagulls switched back to 4-4-2.

Hart took up his customary role on the right flank, with Brooker reverting to the left.

Hart made an immediate impression with a shot narrowly wide from 25 yards.

There was much more of a buzz about Albion at the start of the second half and Steele put them level within seven minutes of his introduction.

Mayo's shot from 30 yards was only parried by Gottskalksson and Steele blasted the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

It was the third time Steele had come off the bench to score at Withdean this season, having done so previously against Wigan and Blackpool.

It was a much livelier game now and the half time changes made by Adams had certainly improved the Seagulls.

Steele fired an angled shot just wide when Watson's header released him.

Gottskalksson, unsettled by his error for the goal, chose to fist away a shot from Carpenter which was straight at him as the Seagulls scented another home success.

Brentford still posed a threat, however, and Rowlands was only just wide with a low drive before limping off to be replaced by Williams with 18 minutes left.

An uncharacteristic mistake by Watson enabled Ingimarsson to put Brentford back in front on 74 minutes. Watson somehow let the ball go through him and Ingimarsson smacked a left foot shot past Kuipers from eight yards.

Watson was replaced by Pitcher shortly after Hart and Anderson had both been booked for a confrontation near the corner flag.