Little Leon Knight proved again that size does not matter as Albion came from behind to topple the title favourites.

The mercurial marksman from Chelsea struck twice on his home debut against his old club to maintain the Seagulls' 100 per cent start to the season.

Knight, on loan to Rangers when they were in the First Division, lit up Withdean after Steve Coppell's side had fallen behind in the ninth minute to a free-kick by Gino Padula.

He levelled on 12 minutes with his third header of the campaign from a Gary Hart centre.

Rangers had Terrell Forbes sent off on the hour for head-butting Kerry Mayo and Knight fired the winner eight minutes later to take his League tally to four goals in two games.

There was disappointment for Charlie Oatway, an avid QPR fan.

He was relegated to the bench as Coppell made a couple of changes to the team successful at Bristol Rovers last week in the Carling Cup.

Richard Carpenter was preferred to Oatway in the centre of midfield, while darius Henderson made his home debut up front at the expense of Chris McPhee.

Rangers were forced into three changes. Richard Langley was sold to Cardiff last week, so Martin Rowlands came in for his first start on the right side of midfield. Eric Sabin was also given his first start in the attack, with Kevin Gallen ruled out by injury.

Tommy Williams took over on the left side of midfield from the injured Gareth Ainsworth.

The Seagulls had an early scare as Rangers made a brisk start.

Rowlands, on target for Coppell's Brentford on his previous visit to Withdean, got the better of Nathan Jones before crossing from the right.

Paul Furlong, finding space in between Albion's central defenders, struck a post with a low shot although it would not have counted as the linesman was flagging for offside.

Albion failed to heed that warning and fell behind in disappointing fashion a few minutes later.

Padula, Rangers' Argentinian left back, delivered an inswinging free kick from the right flank.

Former Albion reserve Steve Palmer, unmarked at the near post, tried to connect with a header but he did not get a touch as the ball sped past Ben Roberts.

The holes Rangers were finding in the Albion defence must have been a major cause for concern for Coppell, but his side responded to their deficit in exhilarating style.

The Londoners' lead lasted only three minutes, Knight pouncing to score his third goal in two League games.

The little livewire, dwarfed by Rangers' centre backs Danny Shittu and Clarke Carlisle, still managed to beat the latter to thump a header from Hart's inviting cross past Chris Day from the edge of the six yard box.

Knight maybe only 5ft 4in but his movement also enabled him to score two headers in the opening day victory at Oldham.

Bircham collected the first caution of the contest midway through the first half for a foul on Knight, who reacted angrily.

The match was being played at frenetic pace, with challenges flying in thick and fast by both sides.

Padula needed treatment following a shuddering but fair tackle by Carpenter just inside the Albion half.

Roberts twice demonstrated the benefit of a goalkeeper acting as a sweeper in the modern game.

He rushed off his line towards the edge of his box on both occasions to foil Sabin as Rangers tried to exploit the speed of their former Swindon forward.

The game was intriguingly poised approaching half-time, with both teams looking dangerous going forward.

Rowlands collected the visitors' second yellow card in first-half stoppage time when he scythed down Jones.

Albion began the second half in determined manner, forcing a couple of corners in quick succession and putting the Rangers rearguard under considerable pressure.

The visitors made a change in attack on 53 minutes, Kevin McLeod replacing Sabin.

McLeod was re-signed over the weekend from Everton for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £300,000, following a loan stint at Loftus Road last season.

Little had been seen of Henderson, Albion's loan capture from Reading until he produced a telling left wing cross.

The stretching Knight could not direct it on target and Hart's follow up volley was blocked by Padula.

The match exploded back into life on the hour-mark as Rangers were reduced to ten men.

Forbes, taking exception to a tackle by Mayo close to halfway, headbutted the Albion stalwart.

A red card was inevitable for the former West Ham defender and referee Mark Warren also booked Mayo for his challenge after he had been treated for a cut over his left eye.

Albion immediately tried to capitalise. A shot from Knight was too hot for Day to hold, then the keeper dived to parry Henderson's low drive on the turn.

Knight struck again midway through the half, latching onto Henderson's header to slide the ball past Day.

Both sides made substitutions late on, Oatway replacing Rodger for Albion and Rangers introducing Marcus Bean and Dennis Oli in place of Rowlands and Williams.

Henderson was booked for disputing an offside decision but nothing could detract from Albion's Knight!

Rangers finished the match with nine men, with Carlisle stretchered off after a collision with Roberts.

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Roberts (gk) 7; Watson (rb) 7, Mayo (lb) 7, Cullip (cd) 8, Knight (f) 9, Rodger (cm) 7, Hart (rm) 8, Henderson (f) 7, Carpenter (cm) 7, Jones (lm) 7, Hinshelwood (cd) 7. Subs: Kuipers, Pethick, Oatway for Rodger (withdrawn 83), McPhee, Harding.
  • Scorers: Knight (12) and (68).
  • Bookings: Mayo (62) foul.
  • QUEENS PARK RANGERS: (4-4-2): Day; Forbes, Padula, Palmer, Carlisle, Shittu, Bircham, Sabin, Rowlands, Furlong, Williams. Subs: Culkin, Bean for Rowlands (withdrawn 83), Oli for Williams (withdrawn 83), Walshe, McLeod for Sabin (withdrawn 53).
  • Scorer: Padula (9).
  • Sent off: Forbes (60) violent conduct.
  • Bookings: Bircham (23) foul, Rowlands (45) foul.
  • Half-Time: Albion 1 QPR 1.
  • Attendance: 6,536.
  • Fan's View: Jeremy Ransom (Worthing) My first impression before kick-off was that Albion had lined-up with ten players and a ballboy among their ranks.

However, by the end of the night the ballboy had scored twice and won us the game.

Leon Knight may be little but he was outjumping two musclemen throughout the game and it is crucial we sign him now before other clubs are alerted to his star potential and nip in.

Henderson also looks capable of becoming a good player under Steve Coppell's guidance and he must be snapped up too before other clubs come in.

If we are serious about gaining promotion again Dick Knight must dig into his pocket and secure their services.

It was a great victory and everything is looking good but Dick must act now.