Bobby Zamora set a new club goalscoring record to keep Brighton on course for automatic promotion. Zamora became the first Brighton player to score 30 goals in successive seasons when he converted a 45th minute penalty. It was also the turning point of the match as Bury were reduced to ten men immediately before Zamora's spot-kick.
Danny Swailes gave away the penalty when he brought Zamora down. The Bury centre-half felt Zamora made a meal of his challenge and he then pushed the Brighton hot-shot. Referee Joe Ross consulted with his assistant before showing the seething Swailes a straight red card.
Brighton had taken the lead in unusual circumstances in the 21st minute. The outstanding Paul Brooker ended an elusive run by releasing Junior Lewis inside the area. His low shot struck the foot of the post and rebounded in off diving keeper Paddy Kenny.
Brighton seemed on course for a comfortable victory at half time on a muddy pitch drenched by heavy rain, but Bury had other ideas. The cash strapped Shakers, boosted by a High Court reprieve on Friday, fought like tigers in the second half in their battle to beat the drop.
Player manager Andy Preece halved the arrears after 68 minutes when Brighton keeper Michel Kuipers failed to hold a low cross at his near post. Jon Newby tried to force home the loose ball before Preece found the unguarded goal from close range.
Kuipers made amends for that lapse with a superb stop to clinch Brighton's eighth home win out of nine in the closing stages. George Clegg's free-kick from long range was goalbound when the big Dutchman spectacularly clawed it away.
Brighton assistant Bob Booker said: "Two nil always looks comfortable, but it is a dangerous score and even more so against ten men. "They raised their game a little bit and we became frustrated. Once they got a goal back things got a bit edgy. I don't think Swailes can have any complaints. Any time you see a player raise his hands he has got to go."
Preece protested: "Swailes pushed Zamora in the chest and we have it in black and white that that offence is only a booking. I was proud of the way my players performed against a side second in the table in the second half."