Changes were inevitable with injuries to the ever-fragile Kevin Gallen and Gareth Ainsworth and the sale of Richard Langley to Cardiff City last week. The keeper and back four remained unchanged so the now familiar quintet of Day, Forbes, Shittu, Carlisle and Padula took to the field. Martin Rowlands came in for his full debut on the right of midfield. Palmer and Bircham were again in the middle with Williams deployed as an orthodox left winger. Eric Sabin partnered Paul Furlong in attack.

The game had a real end to end feel about it when it started. Paul Furlong went close despite being offside and the Rangers defence had to be alert to stop Henderson turning in the box to get his shot away.

Rangers took the lead after eight minutes through Gino Padula. Furlong was fouled on the right and Gino swung a ball toward the far post, Steve Palmer looked for the header and missed it by millimetres. This was enough to deceive Ben Roberts who could do nothing as the ball nestled inside the far post.

Brighton were back on level terms within minutes. A slip from Padula allowed Brighton too much space on the right. As Shittu was pulled across to cover Leon Knight slipped in behind him and met the cross with a diving header that left Day helpless. The diminutive Knight had just scored his third headed goal of the season, not bad for somebody barely five feet tall!

Rangers seemed to be creating the better chances and most of this was down to the speed of the counter attack. Eric Sabin was causing headaches with his pace but he showed little sign of being able to finish. He went through one on one with Roberts twice. The first time Roberts positioning was poor and he left a huge gap for Sabin to find. For a reason only he will know he tried to go round him and Roberts saved at his feet. The second time he bottled the challenge completely. For a big man he doesn't seem to relish any kind of physical battle and he will need to change that if he is going to stave off the criticism from the fans.

It was indicative of the game that neither keeper was pressed into anything other than comfortable action. The only person creating an excitement amongst the fans was referee Mark Warren. He booked Bircham for picking Leon Knight up after he had fouled him, the youngster's tantrum doing much to influence his decision. Martin Rowlands also found his way into the book in less contentious circumstances after a scything challenge. The former Brentford man had looked sharp throughout the half and should prove to be a decent signing.

The second half saw Rangers on the back foot as Brighton started much the quicker. Knight and Henderson were starting to link up well and Carlisle and Shittu were found wanting on too many occasions. Knights pace and trickery had Big Dan bamboozled more than once and it would prove costly later in the game.

The big talking point came with an hour played as Terrell Forbes was dismissed. He and Kerry Mayo flew in for a 50/50 ball, Forbes got their first and Mayo caught him. There was a brief tussle on the floor and Mayo seemed to kick out as Forbes got to his feet. Forbes reacted by thrusting his head at Mayo and the Brighton left back went down quicker than some of the more broad-minded gentlemen of the city. Referee Warren had no hesitation in sending Forbes to the dressing room. From our vantage point in the ground it looked as though contact was minimal if any contact was made at all. As I write this I haven't seen the replay so I cant comment further. What I will say though is that Forbes is a fool to have put himself in the situation and I have no doubt that Holloway will whack him for the maximum fine allowed.

The punishment was doubled minutes later as Knight grabbed the winner. Once again Carlisle and Shittu were all at sea as Henderson flicked on for Knight to poke past Day. It is hard to say whether the extra man advantage played any part in the goal but it certainly meant that we were in no position to fight our way back into the game.

The poor Sabin has been replaced by returning Evertonian Kevin McLeod and as we chased the game Bean and Oli replaced Williams and Rowlands. Dennis Oli looked like he had a good shout for a penalty but Warren was not in the mood to give anything Rangers' way so the appeal fell on deaf ears.

As the game drew to a close alleged Rangers fan Charlie Oatway came on for Brighton and was involved in another red card offence. Bircham had already been penalised for winning a challenge and when the kick was taken Oatway tried to keep the ball in the corner. Bircham challenged him and Oatway smashed him in the face and then tried to stamp on the prone Ranger as he lay on the floor. Warren saw it as he gave a freekick but seemingly an elbow and attempted stamp don't amount to the same as a tickle with the forehead. I wouldn't want to see a player dismissed to even things up but a bit of consistency would be nice and from the reports you hear of Warren's performances, fair minded he is not.

The saddest sight of the night was that of Clarke Carlisle being stretchered from the field after a clash with keeper Roberts. Both players went for a cross and Roberts and Carlisle collided. Somehow Warren saw this as a clear foul by Carlisle, from my vantage point at the other end of the pitch, behind the javelin run up and running track I could see it was nothing of the sort. The big centre half was treated for a few minutes of the field before being wheeled round the pitch on a stretcher and off to a waiting ambulance. Hopefully he will be OK as the last thing we need now is an injury to such an important player.

Overall we were poor and probably got what we deserved. I cant say whether we would have got anything from the game if Forbes had kept his head as we had created precious little with him on the field. The pick of the Rangers players was Rowlands who showed a willingness to go looking for work rather than staying glued to his touchline waiting for it to come to him.

I can't leave without mentioning the "stadium". I hope that Brighton get planning permission soon as this place is an absolute joke. £21 to sit in a stand that looks like it was stolen from a Pink Floyd gig and swayed every time somebody moved a muscle. I am all for supporting clubs who are in the mire but this was a bit strong. Dick Turpin had the courtesy to wear a mask when he was robbing folk; Brighton chairman Dick Knight seems a bit more brazen about the whole thing. No doubt people will point to us charging a similar amount to away fans at Loftus Road but we will provide them with a stand made out of something other than Mechano to sit in for their hard earned.

It is now imperative that we beat Bournemouth on Saturday and we desperately need a new striker by then. Several names have been mentioned, including tonight's tormentor. We are toothless without Gallen and Furlong needs some help up there as when he partners Sabin he may as well carry him round on his back for all the help he gives!