Albion suffered their first defeat in seven games – and could have no complaints after a dreadfully below-par display.

The Seagulls were sunk 2-1 by bottom-of-the-table Barnsley at The Amex tonight.

Paddy McCourt put the Tykes – who had previously picked up just one point on the road this season - ahead in the 35th minute as they grew in confidence.

Jacob Mellis added a slickly worked second five minutes after the break.

Matt Upson headed home a corner on 63 minutes to get Albion back into the match.

But they could not stave off defeat.

Barnsley, under caretaker boss Micky Mellon following the sacking of David Flitcroft on Saturday, looked as tidy on the ball as any visiting side at The Amex this term.

They had just one escape in the first half when Jack Butland superbly tipped Craig Conway’s searing drive against the bar.

But McCourt responded by going past three defenders and swapping passes with Marcus Tudgay before opening the scoring.

Tudgay was also involved in the second goal as he played a return pass for Mellis to finish at the near post.

Butland somehow kept out a Buckley header before Upson headed home the resulting corner.

And the keeper stood firm late on to block Buckley’s shot in a one-on-one after Bruno had sent the substitute clear with a terrific long pass.

Arguably the biggest Albion plus of the night was an enjoyable midfield performance by fit-again Kemy Agustien as he came off the bench for the last third of the match.

But the Seagulls will need to improve on Saturday when they host Leicester, who remain top tonight despite a shock defeat of their own, at Sheffield Wednesday.

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