By Tim Dudding, at Withdean

Albion's freakish week continued this afternoon after an incident-packed 4-2 defeat to Stockport County.

The Seagulls ended the game with only nine men after Tommy Elphick and Colin Hawkins were sent off, while the visitors were also reduced to ten when Liam Bridcutt got his marching orders in a crazy second half period.

Carl Baker was the hat-trick hero for cash-stricken County as Albion's defence conceded another four goals to add to the seven at Huddersfield in midweek.

After an amazing start straight from kick-off - when Danny Pilkington attempted to dribble past five or six Albion players and was eventually stopped by a judicious foot in from Tommy Elphick - the game settled down and Albion began to impose themselves.

Andrew Whing lifted the spirits with a powerful drive that only just whizzed past the post, and moments later Liam Dickinson forced Owain Fon Williams to tip the ball around the post after latching onto Nicky Forster's flick-on.

Adam Virgo then headed Dean Cox's corner just over, and Albion were producing exactly the kind of start they needed after Tuesday night's fiasco at the Galpharm.

Virgo came close again, this time with a curling free-kick from 25 yards that Fon Williams once again turned behind.

Elliott Bennett was making his debut on the wing after signing from Wolves on Thursday, and after a quiet opening spell, the midfielder sprang into life with a brilliant cross for Albion's opening goal.

Virgo took a quick free-kick, and Bennett curled in a vicious cross that Andrew Crofts went for but missed, and Forster dived bravely to head the Seagulls in front.

The lead was thoroughly deserved, but agonisingly, 90 seconds later Stockport were level. On loan Chelsea youngster Liam Bridcutt did well on the right before squaring into the six yard box, and Baker was at hand to tap home the equaliser.

Elliott showed his crossing ability later in the half, when he curled in a perfect ball for Dickinson, but the striker's header flew just wide of the mark.

Albion continued brightly after the interval, and Fon Williams tipped a rasping effort from Virgo around the post.

And when Dickinson was needlessly brought down by Michael Raynes in the area, Albion had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Instead, Fon Williams turned Forster's spot kick onto the post, and from then on - much like Tuesday night at Huddersfield - Brighton's fortunes went downhill, fast.

Soon after they found themselves trailing after giving Baker far too much time on the edge of the area, and the County striker lifted a delicate chip over Smith and into the back of the net.

Dickinson then restored the equilibrium with a long range effort after a neat lay-off from Forster, but it would prove only a minor resurgence.

For two minutes later, Elphick hacked down Greg Tansey and, having already received a rather harsh caution in the first half for a challenge on Fon Williams, referee Cook had no choice but to brandish the red card.

Russell Slade introduced Colin Hawkins, but having only been on the pitch for two minutes, the Irishman tugged by Peter Thompson as he went for the rebound after Smith had parried his initial effort, and Cook produced his red card a second time.

Baker stepped up and coolly completed his hat-trick from the spot.

Albion may have been down to nine men now, but they were still determined to try and salvage something here. James Tunnicliffe created an opening with a deep cross, but Mark Wright's volley went straight at Fon Williams, and Andrew Crofts shot bounced just past the post.

Stockport then felt the brunt of referee Cook's discipline when Bridcutt received a second yellow for kicking the ball away, and an inevitable red card.

But any hopes of a comeback were ended when substitute Oli Johnson raced away, and having rounded Smith, put the ball into an open net to complete Albion's week to forget.

Albion: (4-4-2) G Smith; Virgo, Tunnicliffe, Elphick, Whing; Bennett (M Wright 58), Navarro, Crofts, Cox (Hawkins 63); Forster (Dicker 67), Dickinson. Subs not used: El-Abd, Walker (GK), Thornhill, Davies.

Stockport: (4-5-1) Williams; Mullins, Havern, Raynes, Rose; Pilkington (Griffin 57), Baker (Turnbull 90), Tansey, Bridcutt, Poole; Thompson (Johnson 74). Subs not used: Vincent, Halls, Edwards, Gerrard (GK).

Attendance: 5270 (139 Stockport)

Referee: Steve Cook.

Yellow Cards: Elphick, Dickinson (Albion); Rose (Stockport).

Red Cards: Elphick (second bookable offence), Hawkins (professional foul); Bridcutt (two bookings).