Albion missed a great chance to go into the top six for at least a couple of hours as they came out second-best in a Boxing Day scrap at Charlton.

The Seagulls were beaten 3-2 having gone ahead through Leo Ulloa on his first start for almost three months.

Ulloa prodded in his second in added time but it was too late to save his side in a hectic tussle.

Right-sided midfielder Lawrie Wilson was the hero for the hosts with a goal in each half to change the course of the contest.

Yann Kermogant then curled a free-kick into the top corner to give his side breathing space.

Ulloa fired Albion ahead on 22 minutes when he twisted on to his left foot in the heart of the penalty area and fired low past Ben Alnwick.

The Seagulls were worthy of their lead and looked to be in charge at that stage.

But the hosts dragged themselves level ten minutes later when Wilson found space inside the box to drill a shot across Peter Brezovan and inside the top corner.

Wilson produced a very similar finish on 58 minutes when a poor touch by Andrew Crofts set him up.

Ulloa then saw a header cleared off the line before Kermogant made it 3-1.

Substitutes Ashley Barnes and Inigo Calderon both shot against posts in the same incident.

Barnes and Kemy Agustien were involved in Ulloa’s late, late second but they never had a chance to grab an equaliser.