Brighton moved five points clear of the drop zone with a 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Exeter, who remain in the bottom three.

Brighton pull five points clear of drop zone after 2-0 success

Brighton moved five points clear of the drop zone with a 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Exeter, who remain in the bottom three. Gus Poyet's side clinched their first home league win for four-and-a-half months with goals in each half from Tommy Elphick and Gary Dicker. Defender Elphick gave the Seagulls a 26th-minute lead by leaping to guide a corner from Elliott Bennett in via the far post. Dicker made the points safe in magnificent style by thundering in a 25-yard volley four minutes after the break. Exeter improved after a poor first half but carved out few clear-cut chances. The Grecians threatened for the first time just after the hour when midfielder Liam Sercombe shot just wide before substitute Richard Logan put a good chance into the side netting. Midfielder Neil Saunders should have done better for Exeter late on when putting a free header wide.