Chris Hughton felt Albion lacked their recent spark as their four-match unbeaten run came to an end at Bolton.

The Seagulls lost 1-0 to remain six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Derby County.

Zach Clough scored the only goal on 64 minutes.

Albion boss Hughton said: “I’m disappointed because I didn’t think there was much in both sides.

“If I look at how many genuine saves Stocky had to make, it is not many at all. I just think we didn’t use the ball well enough.

“We have played a lot of games, as everyone has done, and probably the spark we had in the last couple of games just wasn’t there.”

Hughton acknowledged it was a moment of quality from Clough that won the game.

He said: “I thought we got in some really good positions in that first half when we broke but it was about that final pass. We certainly didn’t have less opportunities in front of goal than they did but probably the one real bit of quality in the game came from the lad Clough and it was a super goal.

“It was that one bit of quality that changed the game for them.

“I ‘m really disappointed because I certainly didn’t think we did enough to win the game but also I also feel it was a game we shouldn’t have lost.

“We probably didn’t have that spark we have had for the last couple of games and probably the two away games before that.”