Luton Town 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 0

Last updated : 13 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Brighton manager, Mark McGhee blasted referee Trevor Parkes as his side were reduced to ten men and crashed to a 2-0 defeat away to Luton Town.

McGhee said: "We were beaten by a more determined team here but I thought that Leon's bookings were ridiculous and some poor decisions by the referee affected our play." An unchanged Luton side threatened to play Brighton off the park a lively encounter that saw referee deny a string of Brighton penalty claims, award one to Luton and send Leon Knight off.

The Brighton players surrounded Parkes at half-time and let their frustration known to the referee.

Luton took the lead when Peter Holmes scored his second goal of the season with a simple tap-in at the far post after Enoch Showunmi beat the Brighton offside trap to dash down the right wing and square the ball to the thankful Holmes.

Richard Carpenter came closest for the visitors with a 25-yard free-kick and Stuart Jones, making his full debut in the Brighton goal made a superb full-stretch save to tip Chris Coyne's powerful header over the bar five minutes before the break.

Brighton's task was made harder when, on 72 minutes, Knight was sent off when he received a second yellow card for a late lunge on Sol Davis and, a minute later, referee Parkes pointed to the spot when Danny Cullip was adjudged to have fouled Showunmi in the box.

Kevin Nicholls stepped up and confidently slotted the ball into the far corner to double the home side's lead.

Luton Boss Mike Newell was pleased with the result as his side continue their push for promotion.

Newell said: "I m glad that it was an entertaining game but at this point of the season the results are the most important thing.

"I thought that the first decision was a booking because the players are adamant that he dived. I didn't see the other decision but dangerous play is unacceptable."