Albion failed to lift any of the relegation gloom as they went down to a comprehensive 2-0 defeat at Scunthorpe today.

They are now six points adrift of safety as sides just above them had a good day.

The promotion-chasing hosts could have been out of sight by half-time.

Instead, only a crisply struck Gary Hooper drive, for his 27th goal of the season, on 42 minutes separated the sides at the break.

Craig Davies was the pick of the Albion outfield players as his side sought to find a way back into the game.

Davies created his side's best chance, shot over by Seb Carole who had just come on as sub.

However the contest was settled 11 minutes from time when Matt Heath was shown a straight red for a foul on the goalbound Hooper and Grant McCann converted the resulting spot kick.

With Tommy Elphick picking up a tenth booking of the season, the Seagulls now lose both central defenders to suspension.

Mikkel Andersen made several fine saves in the first half and both Matt Sparrow and Hooper headed against the bar as Albion were outplayed.