Brighton 0-2 Brentford: Scott Hogan brace seals win for visitors

Scott Hogan scored a goal in each half as Brentford sent Brighton down to their first home defeat since New Year's Day with a fine 2-0 victory at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls had scored 10 goals without reply from three previous Sky Bet Championship and cup home games this term.

But former Rochdale striker Hogan took his goals clinically before a crowd of 26,388 to give Brentford their first away win of the season.

Brighton's former Fulham keeper David Stockdale was called into action in only the second minute as he claimed a deflected cross from Callum Elder.

The Seagulls, who had kept six clean sheets from their previous eight league meetings with Brentford, threatened when Jamie Murphy and Anthony Knockaert both saw saw deflected shots go wide.

The Bees' defence came under pressure when keeper Daniel Bentley punched away a cross by Bruno after Knockaert had previously got the better of Elder.

Bentley later palmed over an angled shot from Knockaert after Beram Kayal had released the French winger.

Brentford hit Brighton on the break to take the lead on 29 minutes when lone striker Hogan hit his second of the season, racing through on to a pass from Lewis Macleod to fire home left-footed under Stockdale at his near post.

After conceding at home for the first time this season, Albion responded with Knockaert forcing Bentley to make a low save before Glenn Murray blazed a shot wide.

Stockdale came to Brighton's rescue just before the interval by blocking a goal-bound shot from Hogan with his leg.

Albion's Israel international striker Tomer Hemed came close to levelling when his close-range effort was hooked off the line by John Egan before skipper Harlee Dean cleared the danger.

Knockaert headed straight into the arms of Bentley after the break before Stockdale went full length at the other end to turn a shot from Macleod around the post.

Hogan again went clean through but Stockdale denied him in a one-on-one situation.

Albion were fortunate to survive when Hogan failed to make contact in front of goal before Romaine Sawyers blazed wide.

But Hogan struck again to double his side's advantage and seal the points with a left-foot finish from an assist by Dean in the 70th minute.

Albion boss Chris Hughton made his third substitution by bringing on Jiri Skalak, following the introductions of Elvis Manu and Dale Stephens, but the hosts never threatened a comeback.