Albion's grip on an automatic promotion place has been strengthened tonight by a defeat for Leeds.

They were beaten 3-2 in their Yorkshire derby at Barnsley and are now nine points adrift of the Seagulls from a game more.

Second-placed Albion have an eight-point cushion over Huddersfield in third, with Tuesday's home match against Cardiff in hand and a far superior goal difference.

Manager Chris Hughton, who watched Huddersfield beat Ipswich, told The Argus: "The gap between second and third is, for us, the most important one."

Leeds were blitzed after former Albion loan striker Chris Wood put them ahead early on with his 18th goal of the season in all competitions.

Garry Monk's side were stunned at Oakwell by three goals for Barnsley in nine minutes either side of half-time from Tom Bradshaw, Ryan Kent and Conor Hourihane.

Albion's nemesis, Mike Dean, gave Leeds a route back into the match by awarding them a controversial penalty when Barnsley defender Marc Roberts handled outside the area.

Wood scored again from the spot, but United's first defeat in seven league games since losing to Albion at the Amex at the start of December has dropped them to fourth.