Albion surrendered an early lead as they tumbled to a surprise 2-1 defeat against makeshift Scunthorpe last night.

Paul Brooker put Micky Adams' promotion chasers ahead in the fourth minute with a well-taken goal, his third of the season.

Danny Cullip deflected a Brian Quailey shot into his own net on 34 minutes and Albion paid for more uncertain defending eight minutes later, when Matthew Sparrow slotted his third goal in two games.

Albion lined up as expected in a 4-4-2 formation in the absence of injured midfielder Charlie Oatway. Steele, who impressed after replacing Oatway early on in Saturday's 2-0 win at Leyton Orient, came in for his first League start since mid November upfront alongside Zamora.

Mayo, available after a one-match ban, had to settle for a place among the substitutes.

Scunthorpe, missing eight senior pros through injury, gave a debut in the centre of defence to Cotterill. He was among four trainees in the home side's depleted squad.

Topscorer Ipoua and the fit-again Hodges, both transfer-listed after refusing new contracts, were on the bench.

Sparrow, fresh from a winning double for Scunthorpe at Torquay on Saturday, shot straight at Kuipers from the edge of the area inside the opening 15 seconds.

Albion responded with a header over the bar by Zamora from a Watson corner.

Zamora equalised and was then sent off in the closing stages of the Seagulls 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Glanford Park in December. Scunthorpe took an early lead on that occasion, but roles were reversed this time. Brooker took just four minutes to add to his first League goal of the season at Orient.

Zamora began the move by dispossessing Harsley. Steele's pass found Brooker and he cut inside the box to plant a precise rightfoot curler past Evans.

It was just the start Albion were looking for, but Dawson was unfortunate not to level two minutes later with a free-kick from 20 yards which clipped the bar.

Albion were looking uncharacteristically uncertain at the back at times, despite Brooker's swift strike. Crosby was fortunate to get away with a bad misjudgement when Harsley's long ball bounced over his head.

The Seagulls were, however, bright going forward again now that Steele had reinforced the attack.

Midway through the half Carpenter picked out Brooker with a penetrating crossfield pass. He turned Harsley inside out before crossing dangerously into the box.

Jackson cut out the threat by heading clear as far as Rogers, whose low drive from 25 yards flashed wide.

Albion's lead lasted half an hour, Scunthorpe restoring parity in fortunate fashion. Graves' wayward header from a Dawson cross fell to Quailey and his left-foot effort was deflected in by Cullip past the wrong-footed Kuipers.

Hart tried to put Albion back in front with a dipping effort from 30 yards which flew straight at the back-pedalling Evans.

Graves collected the first caution of the contest approaching the break for a challenge on Steele midway inside the Scunthorpe half.

More hesitancy in the Albion defence allowed the 19-year-old Sparrow to fire Scunthorpe ahead three minutes from the break. The youngster celebrated the offer of a professional contract by exchanging passes with Quailey to crack a right-foot drive beyond Kuipers.

A half which had begun so encouragingly for the Seagulls ended with a second Scunthorpe booking for skipper Torpey and a thunderous free-kick from long range by Carpenter, which Evans tipped over.

Teenager Virgo came on for the second half in place of Crosby at the heart of the defence, but Albion continued to look unconvincing at the back.

Kuipers was tested twice soon after the break, first from a low shot by Torpey and then Sheldon's downward header from Larusson's centre.

Carpenter, one of the few Albion players performing up to scratch, providing a raking pass which sent Steele clear through the inside left channel for a shot straight at Evans.

Harsley collected Scunthorpe's third yellow card on the hour mark when he impeded Brooker as Albion's goalscorer tried to make progress down the left.

The Seagulls threatened an equaliser shortly afterwards when Zamora set up Steele for a shot on the turn from Melton's pass which Evans pushed over.

Adams shuffled the pack on 62 minutes by introducing Mayo at the expense of captain Rogers.

Mayo took up his accustomed leftback role, with Watson switching to rightback and Melton into the middle of midfieldScunthorpe also made a change with 18 minutes left, Calvo-Garcia replacing Larusson.

Virgo went close for the Seagulls moments later with a firm header from a Watson corner which Evans did well to keep out.

Adams played his final card by bringing on the veteran Stant in place of Steele on 80 minutes.