Cardiff set their stall out to harrass Micky Adams' men and in the early stages managed to force Albion on to the back foot.

A combined challenge by Oatway and Hart on Simpkins conceded the first corner of the contest in the third minute.

It was taken by Kavanagh, Cardiff's silver-booted £1million midfield kingpin, towards his former Stoke colleague Thorne.

Morgan, who has been a tower of strength at the heart of the defence alongside Cullip since his summer move from Fulham, headed clear.

The early exchanges suggested an intriguing aerial battle between Thorne and Cullip, rated by Adams as the best defender in the Second Division.

Cullip won one of his contests with Thorne to head clear as far as Kavanagh 25 yards out. His low drive was cleanly struck but straight at Kuipers.

There also promised to be a fascinating battle between Prior, signed by the Welshmen from Manchester City for £700,000, and the Seagulls' hotshot Zamora.

Albion were trying to play their customary composed football, but Cardiff were harrying them relentlessly.

The Seagulls were being largely penned inside their own half as a result, with Cullip particularly prominent in his defensive duties.

Another corner by Simpkins in the 16th minute, Cardiff's fourth of the match, was met by Prior with a downward header from close range which Kuipers managed to parry away.

Albion were inviting pressure by conceding too many free-kicks and the pattern of Cardiff control continued with a high cross to the far post by Boland which Kuipers punched behind as Thorne challenged.

Kavanagh's resulting corner just cleared Prior for Thorne, closing in behind, to connect with a firm downward header from 12 yards.

It bounced once before Kuipers made a flying save, diving to his right.

Albion forced their first corner, via Hart, midway through the half, but Watson's flag kick was headed away by Weston.

Mayo picked up the games first booking on 25 minutes. He had already been spoken to by ref Warren in tandem with Hamilton, following some argy-bargy at the near post, when Albion's leftback held back the same player.

Former Newcastle man Hamilton was hurt when he charged down a clearance by Morgan and then chased into a challenge with the advancing Kuipers inside the Albion area.

Kuipers kindly hoofed the ball into touch so that Hamilton could receive treatment.

Low turned to fire optimstically over from 25 yards when Hamilton was better placed to his right.

The Seagulls continued to defend solidly, but with half an hour gone they had produced very little in the way of an attacking threat.

Nine minutes from the break the game took a bizarre twist with Albion capitalising on some keystone cop antics in the home defence.

A deep diagonal cross by Cullip from close to the halfway line was sailing harmlessly into the Cardiff area with no Albion player near it, but Weston contrived to misplace his header back towards his own net.

Cardiff's keeper Alexander, who had been advancing and out of position, did well to race back to prevent the ball from crossing the line, but could only manage to roll it into the path of Zamora to slot in a low right foot shot from six yards.

Zamora's first goal in four matches banished the memory of a costly miss in the corresponding fixture last season, when the Seagulls were 1-0 up and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Prior's frustration at the way events were unfolding was exhibited with a crude tackle from behind on Zamora in the 43rd minute midway inside the Cardiff half.

It was rightly punished with the first yellow card of the afternoon for the home team.

The Seagulls had a let-off in the dying stages of the half when Brayson charged down Cullip's attempted clearance.

This allowed Thorne to release Brayson through the inside left channel, with Cullip in hot pursuit.

Fortunately for Albion the diminutive former Reading man's angled shot lacked the power to bother Kuipers, who made a straightforward save.

Half-time: Cardiff 0, Albion 1 The sun was back out for the start of the second half and Kavanagh was soon hot under the collar.

An untidy tackle on Oatway in the centre circle earned the Cardiff playmaker the third caution of the contest.

Brayson turned neatly away from Morgan before trying to find Low with a crossfield pass.

He capitalised on a fortunate ricochet as Watson slid in, but Cullip was on hand yet again to block the shot.

Zamora looked menacing at the other end when Hart glanced a header on to him inside the Cardiff area. He got the better of Gabbidon, only for Prior to cover the danger.

Kavanagh won possession with a couple of fierce challenges in swift succession on Oatway and Rogers.

This released Low for a delicate attempt on goal which Kuipers watched as it sailed well wide of his left hand post.

The home fans played their part in trying to lift Cardiff, but Albion continued to hold firm and the Welshmen were finding it tough to force a way through their well organised ranks.

Jeanne, signed by Cardiff on a free transfer from QPR, was introduced to huge applause from the home fans on 59 minutes in place of Low on the left side of midfield.

Kuipers had been in commanding form all afternoon and confidently claimed a cross by Hamilton then palmed away a dangerous left wing cross from substitute Jeanne as Cardiff mounted another attack.

Brooker replaced Jones on the left flank midway through the second half as Albion's stolid defence looked to hold out against mounting pressure.

Injury to Kavanagh forced Alan Cork into playing his final card, but Bowen's introduction did little to carve out any more meaningful openings for Cardiff.

Just as it seemed Albion were on their way to three more points, Cardiff grabbed the equaliser they deserved with ten minutes left.

Substitute Bowen headed against Kuiper's upright from a left wing cross by fellow sub Legg and Brayson pounced to convert the rebound from close range.

Adams responded by replacing Oatway with Lee Steele.