Albion went down 2-0 in their play-off first leg at Sheffield Wednesday - and lost FOUR men to injury.

Ross Wallace cut inside to fire the 45th-minute opener for Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off semi-final first leg.

And Kieran Lee added a second in the 73rd minute.

The Seagulls were playing with Bruno at centre-back by that stage after Connor Goldson limped off in the first half.

Tomer Hemed also went off in the first half and both Steve Sidwell and Anthony Knockaert departed by the hour mark.

Albion went agonisingly close twice in the early stages.

Baldock saw his shot deflect inches wide after good build-up down the right by Knockaert and Bruno.

And, from Skalak’s resulting corner, Hemed’s glancing header hit the far post.

But Wednesday responded and Wallace twice had shots deflect off target, by Goldson and then Stockdale’s fine save.

Hemed headed wide from a corner won by Knockaert’s industry.

But, just as Albion seemed to have well and truly silenced the home support, Wednesday thought they had scored on 19 minutes.

Forestieri charged through the middle on to a long ball and lashed a shot low past Stockdale.

The hosts celebrated - but the assistant’s flag was up and, after much debate, the goal was rightly ruled out.

That stoked the atmosphere up again with Wednesday fans incensed, although the goal-kick which led to the attack should never have been given anyway after Hemed’s header ficked behind off a defender.

But Albion were dealt another personnel blow late in the first half as Goldson picked up an injury as he shielded the ball out of play under pressure.

Goldson was replaced by Rosenior on 39 minutes wth Bruno moving to centre-back.

At the same time. Wilson went on for Hemed.

Wallace made the breakthrough by cutting in from the right and shooting low and left-footed across Stockdale.

Daniel Pudil fired wide from 25 yards after the break as the home side now attacked the Kop.

Baldock headed off target for Albion from Rosenior’s cross.

But, as that attack developed, Sidwell stayed down and was replaced by Towell.

Then, just before the hour, Knockaert went down and had to depart.

Albion held on with ten men and Skalak sent a free-kick just over after he was fouled by Pudil.

But Wednesday got Lee in down the inside right channel to fire a shot inside the far post and double the lead on 73 minutes.