Albion’s dismal season hit another low as they were swept aside by the leaders today.

The Seagulls went down 3-0 at Derby, whose goals all came between the tenth and 20th minutes.

Derby cruised through from then on, towards a result which keeps them in top spot and piles more pressure on Albion boss Sami Hyypia.

The hosts had little trouble cutting through the Seagulls' lightweight attempt to protect their own goal.

Chris Martin had ample time to work the ball on to his left foot and drill the tenth-minute opener as the defence backed off.

Jonny Russell clipped the second over David Stockdale’s dive five minutes later.

And Martin outjumped Bruno at the far post five minutes after that to head his side’s third from Cyrus Christie’s unchallenged cross.

There was just one glimmer of hope for Albion amid all that when Darren Bent headed home at 2-0 down. But he was adjudged offside.

Solly March had a goalbound shot deflected over just before the break.

Stockdale fumbled a Craig Bryson shot against the post in the second period and later saved well from Jeff Hendrick.

But the contest had long since been settled by then.

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