Albion slipped back into the relegation zone with a third successive League One defeat tonight.

The Seagulls went down 2-0 at home to high-flying Charlton and slipped below Southampton, 1-0 winners over Wycombe.

Two first-half goals left Albion heading towards a seventh home defeat out of ten.

They made a bright start and were inches from going ahead on 17 minutes when James Tunnicliffe's glancing header from an Elliott Bennett corner hit the underside of the bar and was scrambled away.

However a header at the other end turned the game on 29 minutes as Deon Burton's classic downward finish from a free-kick delivered from the right left Graeme Smith with no chance.

Charlton increased their lead eight minutes later, Scott Wagstaff tapping in from close range after Grant Basey had got to the byline down the left and driven the ball across goal.

That gave Albion a massive task in the second half and they never really threatened a comeback.

The biggest cheer came just before the hour when Jimmy McNulty came off the bench after his latest injury absence.

With the Seagulls toiling in attack, Charlton threatened to increase their lead on counter attacks.

Dave Mooney thought he had scored late on but Graeme Smith produced superb reflex saves from both the initial attempt and the rebound.

Look out for full coverage of the game in The Argus tomorrow.