Leo Ulloa is facing a three-match ban after being sent off in Albion’s 0-0 draw at Reading today.

Ulloa and the home side’s Pavel Pogrebnyak were both dismissed in the first half.

But Ulloa’s likely deputy in forthcoming fixtures, Ashley Barnes, almost won the game for the Seagulls when he sent a second-half effort against the post.

A dull match exploded into life when Pogrebnyak, already booked for a foul, was sent off on 31 minutes.

He received a second yellow for throwing himself to the ground when challenged by Keith Andrews.

Albion’s numerical advantage lasted just eight minutes, however, before Ulloa went in with his boot for a bouncing ball at head height and caught Alex Pearce.

The closest either side came to a goal in the first period was seconds from half-time when Gordon Greer’s close range header was blocked under the bar by home keeper Alex McCarthy.

Barnes came off the bench to divert a Stephen Ward shot against the near post on 78 minutes.

Ward then crashed a shot wide from a great position.

McCarthy made good saves from shots by Barnes and Inigo Calderon in quick succession.

Wayne Bridge, on as a half-time substitute, livened up Reading’s attacking work after the break.

But Tomasz Kuszczak only made two saves of note, both from Jem Karacan long-rangers.