Albion cruised to another victory against lowly Plymouth at Withdean last night.

Midfielder Richard Carpenter rewarded their superiority with his second goal of the season in the 37th minute.

Paul Watson hit the bar in the first half and Carpenter also struck a post after the break as the Seagulls dominated throughout.

That was the visitors' only worthwhile effort and they had Captain Sean McCarthy sent off on 81 minutes for a second bookable offence.

Bobby Zamora wrapped up the points for Micky Adams' men with his ninth of the season three minutes later.

Albion were unchanged yet again following Saturday's unfortunate 1-0 defeat at leaders Chesterfield.

Plymouth made one alteration to the side which drew 1-1 at Hartlepool.

Goalkeeper Jon Sheffield suffered a groin injury in training, so 20-year-old John Hodges came in for his League debut.

Controversial ref Rob Harris took charge of the match.

Harris left himself open to ridicule when he booked Aston Villa's Lee Hendrie for the second time against Arsenal at Highbury recently, but initially failed to send him off.

The Oxford official was suspended last season for allowing Tranmere to substitute a player sent off in an F.A. Cup tie against Sunderland.

Appropriately perhaps, one of the referee's assistants was J. Beadle.

Hodges, signed from Leicester, removed any anxiety he may have been feeling with a couple of confident catches from Oatway corners in the early stages.

The Seagulls made a subdued start, but they nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute.

Hart was brought down on the right flank by Phillips. Watson's inswinging free-kick curled over the deceived Hodges and against the underside of the crossbar before Plymouth cleared their lines.

Hart, looking particularly sharp, had a shot charged down by Taylor after a neat piece of skill.

McCarthy collected a caution for the visitors on 19 minutes for having something to say when penalised for a challenge on Wicks.

Albion began to put their passing game together, which put Plymouth under mounting pressure.

Rogers failed to connect properly when a corner from Watson reached him inside the six yard box amid hesitant defending.

The visitors were getting ten men behind the ball, making it difficult for Albion to break them down with Argyle employing Chris Leadbitter in front of their defence.

The Seagulls were dominating possession without being able to carve out much in the way of chances.

Mayo was having another solid game and his long throws were providing a potential route to a breakthrough.

The Seagulls came close on 33 minutes, Rogers' flick header from a Jones centre forcing the diving Hodges into a fine one-handed stop at the expense of a corner.

Albion's superiority was rewarded with a second goal in as many home games for Carpenter eight minutes from the break.

Plymouth failed to deal properly with another Watson corner, the Seagulls' seventh of the half. Oatway headed the ball into the path of Carpenter, who rifled home a right-foot shot from just outside the box.

Plymouth nearly responded immediately, McGregor's header beyond the far post from a Phillips cross being cleared in front of the post by Cullip.

It was a rare threat from the visitors, seeking their first away win since March and with only three previous points on their travels.

Plymouth surprisingly made no attempt to amend their cautious system for the second half.

The lively Hart shot straight at Hodges from long range as Albion continued to control possession.

McGregor shot tamely wide for Argyle after trying to cut inside Mayo in a fleeting foray into Albion territory.

Wicks, attempting to give Albion the security of a two-goal cushion, headed straight at Hodges from another pinpoint corner by Watson to the near post.

Another smooth Albion build-up, involving Wicks and Rogers, ended with Carpenter dragging an effort wide from 25 yards.

Plymouth made a substitution on 64 minute. Nancekivell, scorer of their equaliser at Hartlepool, came on in place of O'Sullivan.

Albion made a change with 20 minutes left, Brooker replacing Hart.

Rogers fired over on the turn from just inside the area, then Carpenter nearly doubled his tally when his low drive from 25 yards hit the post.

Albion's grip on the game was not reflected by the narrow scoreline.

McCarthy, already caution in the first half, received his marching orders on 81 minutes for a second bookable offence after tangling with Carpenter.

Albion's goalscorer was injured in the process and had to be replaced shortly after by Steele.

Zamora wrapped things up with six minutes left, smashing in a right-foot shot for his ninth goal of the season, all of them at home.