Boss Chris Hughton believes Albion were hard done by in their defeat by Newcastle at the Amex.

Mo Diame fluked an 81st minute equaliser and Spanish sub Ayoze Perez slotted an 89th minute winner to cancel out Glenn Murray's early penalty and take the Toon back to the top of the Championship, two points above the Seagulls.

Hughton said: "Over 90 minutes I don't think it's a result we deserved. I genuinely felt, up until the equalising goal, they threatened and at times we didn't do ourselves any favours, but I felt we would go on and win the game."

 

Murray put Albion ahead from the spot, his 17th goal of the season, after Premier League ref Rob Madley penalised Ciaran Clark for holding him from a corner.

Hughton said: "I've seen it once (on replay). There's no doubt he's got his hands over him. The referee was in a very good position to see it and has given it, so yes I think it was a penalty."

Diame's unintentional flick into the roof of the net came via a mis-hit shot from Christian Atsu after David Stockdale punched away a corner.

"From our point of view it's one of those really unfortunate goals," Hughton said. "I wondered at the time how it had gone in and it gives a very strong Newcastle team momentum and a real lift in that last period."

There was no luck about the winner from ex-Tenerife striker Perez, his sixth of the season, after Ghana winger Atsu latched onto a crossfield pass from Matt Ritchie to pick him out.

Hughton added: "I didn't think we were at our best, but I felt we would hold on and get a result.

"Newcastle are a very good side, irrespective of some results, with by far the best squad in this division, and they can show it at times. Certainly the winning goal was one of real quality."