Football can be a cruel game sometimes, as Mark McGhee would readily testify.

His improving young Albion side will play much worse in matches than they did last night and still win.

McGhee was crestfallen after watching Wolves grab their first victory of the season and first ever away to Albion.

It had to happen some time.

Wanderers are too good to be at the wrong end of the table for long, but the Seagulls deserved something out of a match decided by Kenny Miller's seventh goal in eight games midway through the first half.

Dean Hammond, who had a header blocked on the line minutes later, summed up the Seagulls' frustration.

The outstanding midfielder said: "We played really well against a team from the Premiership last year.

"I thought we played them off the park and deserved at least a point. We are a bit disappointed that we have lost to Wolves, which shows how far we have come."

McGhee remarked after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Watford that Albion are now looking like a proper Championship side.

That was certainly evident in the early stages of the game, when they passed and played with a touch of swagger.

Currie's unerring ability to pick out a colleague has been a feature of his performances since his summer move from Wycombe.

A pinpoint cross from Currie found Hammond advancing into space at the far post, but he headed straight at Jones.

Wolves had a noticeable height advantage over Albion.

Cort, the former Wimbledon and Newcastle giant, almost made this count with a downward header from a cross by Clyde which forced Kuipers into a scrambling stop by the foot of his post.

Miller scored in both encounters between the teams two seasons ago, including a resounding 4-1 defeat for Wanderers at Withdean.

The Scottish striker threatened to find the net again when Naylor threaded him into space.

Miller scuffed his shot wide but argued, with some justification, that Cullip had tugged him back.

It was a temporary reprieve for the Seagulls as Miller continued his prolific start to the campaign.

Mayo got a little too far under a cross from the left by Olofinjana.

Miller outjumped him at the far post to score with a neatly placed header.

Albion, with Currie pulling the strings, were entitled to feel a little hard done by.

Currie almost redressed the balance with a run and cross-shot which was blocked for a corner by Lescott.

Hammond had another header from another centre by Currie which hit Craddock when it seemed to be on its way into the net.

Wolves, in common with their early season form, looked capable of conceding and scoring goals.

Miller nearly added to his tally with an angled volley from a mis-directed header by Cort which went narrowly wide.

Ince, a box-to-box player in his pomp, sits in front of the back four nowadays. The former England midfielder rolled back the years when he advanced to strike a free kick from 25 yards which dipped just over.

Albion's insatiable spirit drove them forward in the second half in search of an equaliser.

Virgo's remarkable transformation from defender into goal-scoring centre forward nearly continued with a shot on the turn just over from 20 yards following good approach work by Hammond.

McGhee introduced McPhee as a third striker on the right, Hinshelwood moving into the right-back role vacated by the substituted El-Abd.

The move almost paid off when McPhee, making his first home appearance of the season, headed over from a corner by Currie.

A further change followed in the 64th minute, although this time it was one McGhee would rather not have made.

Butters was forced off by an injury, so Harding came on at leftback with Mayo switching to the centre of defence.

Butters' formidable presence was missed when Cort headed wide a good chance to wrap the game up for Wolves from Clyde's cross.

Currie thumped the floor in frustration when he curved a free kick just over the bar 14 minutes from the end.

Miller ought to have doubled his tally on the break, but he shot so wildly that the ball went out for an Albion throw.

It drew ironic jeers from Albion's best crowd of the season, but Miller still had the satisfaction of making the decisive contribution.

Wolves manager Dave Jones admitted: "It wasn't the best performance from us.

"It's just nice to remember how to win and to win away as well. It was a hard three points.

"It is not the easiest place to come to. Brighton try to put you under immense pressure and we could have dealt with it better."

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Kuipers 7; El-Abd 6, Cullip 7, Butters 7, Mayo 7; Hinshelwood 7, Hammond 8, Nicolas 7, Currie 7; Virgo 7, Knight 7. Subs: Oatway, Jarrett for Nicolas (withdrawn 84), McPhee 6 for El-Abd (withdrawn 55), Harding for Butters (injured 64), May
  • Bookings: Hinshelwood (72) unsporting behaviour
  • WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: (4-4-2): Jones; Clyde, Craddock, Lescott, Naylor; Newton, Ince, Olofinjana, Seol; Miller, Cort. Subs: Oakes, Cameron, Cooper for Seol (withdrawn 77), Andrews, Clarke
  • Scorer: Miller, 22
  • Bookings: Clyde (75) foul
  • Half-Time: Albion 0 Wolves 1
  • Attendance: 6,804
  • Fans' View ANDY RUMBLE (Haywards Heath) I thought the throw-in that led to their goal should have been our throw and it could have been 0-0. Hammond and Nicolas looked all right in midfield and Currie is getting better each game. We should have put Jarrett on and Knight had another disappointing game.

MERVYN COOMBER (South Chailey) We competed well but didn't have that extra edge up front. Wolves didn't create that many chances but they did just enough. Jarrett could have come on earlier and I'd like to see him start on Saturday because he gives us an extra dimension going forward.

SARAH WILKINSON (Burgess Hill) We did a lot of huffing and puffing but didn't create much, especially in the second half. Everyone around me was wondering what Jarrett's got to do to get a decent run in the side. I think it's time for Virgo to go back in defence and McPhee to partner Knight or Robinson.

DAVE TURNER (Wolves fan) It was an even game and a draw would have been a fair result, but we've had enough of draws! Brighton didn't look too bad and I think they'll probably do well enough to stay up. I hope they get their new stadium soon because Withdean isn't the best.