Beleaguered Martin Hinshelwood blamed Albion's seventh defeat in succession on three key penalty decisions by referee Grant Hegley.

The manager's wretched run of luck continued as the Seagulls lost 2-1 at home to fellow strugglers Stoke in the First Division.

The beleaguered boss blamed a seventh defeat in succession in the First Division on three key penalty decisions by referee Grant Hegley.

Tommy Mooney, on loan from Birmingham, put the Potters ahead from the spot on 17 minutes when Shaun Wilkinson handled a cross.

Albion then had two penalty appeals rejected in the second half.

They had claims of their own for handball when Wilkinson had a shot charged down by a Stoke defender.

Deep into stoppage time Gary Hart went down under a challenge from Belarus stopper Sergei Shtaniuk, but Hegley rejected Albion's appeals and cautioned Danny Cullip and Paul Watson.

Hinshelwood said: "My players are upset. Officials are trying to do their best, but people keep saying to me by the end of the season things will level themselves out.

"I can't wait for it to start levelling out. We will have a chance then. Shaun just turned his back and it was ball to hand more than anything.

"The fourth official said his shot hit their player in the back, but he needs his eyes tested. I think he got a bit of hand on it, then at the end I thought it was a penalty."

Another defensive mix-up gifted Stoke their second goal on 76 minutes. Cullip and fellow central defender Guy Butters collided, leaving Andy Cooke to fire in.

Richard Carpenter pulled one back with a long range piledriver three minutes later, but the next-to-bottom Seagulls are still pointless since their opening home draw against Coventry.

Hinshelwood's injury problems are mounting as well. Paul Brooker was ruled out by bruised ribs sustained at the end of training on Monday.

"Whether he would have started is another thing, but that's what is happening to us at the moment," Hinshelwood said. "A minute away from the end of the session we get another injury."

Hinshelwood is hoping to make a couple more loan signings to boost his depleted squad.

Grimsby remain bottom after a 2-1 defeat by Sheffield United.

Stoke boss Steve Cotterill came out fighting for Hinshelwood following his side's first away victory.

He said: "I know Hinsh very well and I am backing him. You've got to be resilient in this game. The likes of George Burley and Micky Adams would readily agree that it's a tough game, although their clubs are at the top.

"The clubs who stay solid with their manager will get the benefits in the end. Hinsh must be allowed to manage.

"He is doing a smashing job and working his socks off for the club."