Albion’s miserable run of form shows no sign of abating after they went down 4-2 to MK Dons at Withdean last night.

Not even the tonic of an early lead helped Micky Adams’ strugglers against eye-catching opponents, who are on course for consecutive promotions.

Sods law dictated that Peter Leven was among the goalscorers for MK Dons. The Seagulls had two bids for the Scottish midfielder turned down by his previous club, Chesterfield, during the January transfer window.

Albion’s fifth defeat in six matches in all competitions has left them in danger of falling into the relegation zone.

They will drop into the bottom four if Yeovil win at home to Stockport today.

Adams had been forced into two defensive changes following the 1-1 draw at Oldham last Saturday.

Michel Kuipers broke his left hand in training on Thursday so John Sullivan made his fifth senior appearance in goal.

Tommy Elphick, who will sign a new contract next week, earned an immediate recall in the centre of defence in place of the suspended Adam Virgo.

MK Dons manager Roberto Di Matteo rang the changes after his side’s six-match winning streak was halted by last Saturday’s home defeat against fellow promotion-chasers Scunthorpe with top scorer Sam Baldock only on the bench.

Bradley Johnson began on the left side of midfield at Oldham, a role he has adopted in the past for parent club Leeds.

He was back in the centre this time and how the change paid off.

In the second minute quick thinking by Glenn Murray from a free-kick released Johnson through the middle. He beat Willy Gueret, the visitors’ French keeper, to the ball to find the empty net with the outside of his foot.

Leeds manager Gary McAllister hinted last weekend that he could recall his loan players, with his side in a bad run.

Albion are desperately hoping that does not happen. Johnson’s goal was his fourth since signing at the end of October. He made an explosive start to his Albion career with two goals on his debut against Leicester and another in the next game against Millwall.

The Seagulls won both of those matches against the top two but, if they thought Johnson re-appearing on the scoresheet was a good omen, they were mistaken as MK Dons responded impressively.

They exerted pressure on the Albion defence, although their deficit almost doubled when skipper Sean O’Hanlan nearly turned a cross from Murray into his own net.

The equaliser arrived in the 27th minute and again exposed Albion’s vulnerability from set pieces.

The lanky Miguel Angel Llera rose highest at the far post from a corner and his header somehow found its way into the net through a crowd of players.

The Seagulls could not have complained about the justice of the scorelinebecause their high-flying opponents warranted parity.

Albion could, however, have gone back in front six minutes later when a sharp turn by Nicky Forster from Steve Thomson’s pass left Llera for dead but the finish was much less impressive as the captain dragged his effort well wide of the far post.

A lively first half ended in acrimony with bookings for Colin Hawkins and Dean Cox for Albion and Wilbraham and Alan Navarro for MK Dons after a melee near the centre circle which eventually involved all 22 players.

Albion were ultimately grateful to go in on level terms as, right on half time, Wilbraham rolled a shot against a post before a relieved Sullivan grabbed the rebound.

The reprieve was short lived. Inside the opening minute of the restart Albion fell behind to the crispest of strikes when Jemal Johnson’s angled left-foot drive exploded past Sullivan into the far corner.

The question now was whether the Seagulls could react in the same positive manner as the visitors following their rapid concession at the start of the contest.

Murray almost equalised with a shot on the turn which was deflected narrowly wide.

It was the last meaningful contribution made by Albion’s leading marksman. He was replaced, somewhat surprisingly, by Stuart Fleetwood with 25 minutes left.

Adams had already made a double substitution a few minutes earlier, introducing the inventive Kevin Thornton and Joe Anyinsah, for the final appearance of his loan spell from Preston, at the expense of Dean Cox and Adam El-Abd.

The changes were bold but there is not much a manager can do about the kind of individual mistake which wrecked the recovery mission in the 69th minute. Tommy Elphick made a mess of cutting out a high and hopeful ball and Leven tucked a close range effort under Sullivan.

Fleetwood gave Albion fleeting hope with a volley two minutes from time after Hawkins set him up but Jason Puncheon finished them off in the first minute of stoppage time with a superb solo effort.