Barnsley bagged a morale-boosting victory to move close to the top of the table.
The Yorkshire side may still be in administration but Icelandic boss Gudjon Thordarson certainly appears to be getting things right on the pitch.
Once again his team gave a perfect example of a hard-working performance which fully merited three points against a Brighton side among the favourites for second division promotion.
Thordarson said : "It was a pleasing performance and a very good result. I would have been happy with the draw beforehand but I always looking for the victory and this was a terrific outcome.
"The team was fully focused and remained firm and showed tremendous spirit." Barnsley had to play out the final 20 minutes with ten men following a second yellow card for midfielder Chris Lumsdon.
In all poor referee Chris Mason from Lancashire showed the yellow card seven times in what was never a dirty contest.
The first 45 minutes was nip and tuck with Barnsley having the better of the early exchanges.
They went close after five minutes when Kevin Betsy's tremendous cross on the run was flicked inches wide by striker Rory Fallon.
Betsy remained a threat, but it was Brighton who had the ball in the net on 39 minutes, Richard Carpenter heading home, but the linesman's flag was up for offside.
Anthony Kay missed a glorious chance for Barnsley on 62 minutes but six minutes later Barnsley did go ahead, Tony Gallimore's terrific free-kick being headed home by Betsy.
A minute later Lumsdon was given his marching orders but home keeper Sasa Ilic made a magnificent late save to ensure Barnsley's deserved win.