By Tim Dudding

Albion's misery on Merseyside continues after a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.

Already two down following goals from Gareth Edds and John Welsh, Glenn Murray gave Albion hope from the spot before becoming the sixth Brighton player to see red this season, but Albion's 33 year wait for a league win at Prenton Park goes on.

Managerless, and seemingly low on confidence, Tranmere appeared more than happy to allow Albion to control the play in the first half. But for all their possession and nice interchanges, Russell Slade's men found it difficult to find a way through the home defence.

Brighton did have the first chance though. Jim McNulty was bundled over, and showing great awareness, took the resulting free-kick quickly. His cross picked out Murray perfectly, but the striker could only guide his header wide of the mark.

After 13 minutes or so of complete control, suddenly Tranmere had the best chance so far to break the deadlock. Adam Virgo's header fell kindly for Craig Curran, and although he got good purchase on his shot, Michel Kuipers blocked well with his legs.

McNulty's afternoon came to an abrupt end after falling awkwardly on his ankle, and Jake Wright came on to replace him at left-back.

Soon after, Elliott Bennett - quiet until now - had a sight of goal on the edge of the Tranmere box, but his venomous left-foot shot was expertly tipped over the bar by on-loan Liverpool keeper David Martin, who was making his debut for the home side.

But a moment Slade and the Seagulls would have been dreading; having watched his team dominate, with ten minutes to go before half-time Tranmere took the lead.

The Albion defence made a real horlicks of clearing their lines, allowing Ian Thomas-Moore to thread a pass through to Edds, who kept his composure and slotted past a stranded Kuipers.

Slade introduced Dean Cox at the break to give Albion's attack more energy, and, although Kuipers had to parry Zoumana Bakayogo's thumping volley behind for a corner, Albion looked much more threatening.

In fact, they should have levelled early in the second period. Having sprayed the ball out wide to Bennett, Murray headed straight for the penalty area and arrived as the winger returned the ball into the danger area, but the striker somehow skewed his shot wide when it looked easier to score.

Murray's miss looked even more costly when, a few minutes later, Welsh turned Cox inside out before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner to double Tranmere's advantage.

However, the striker looked to have atoned for his earlier miss when he barged through into the area, only to be brought down by Martin, and referee Jock Waugh pointed to the spot. The Tranmere custodian avoided a red card, and Murray made no mistake from 12 yards to put Albion back in the game.

Having got back in the game, now was probably the time for Albion to shoot themselves in the foot. And so when Murray - who had already been booked in the first half foir blocking a free-kick with his arms - deliberately handled an aerial ball, they did just that. Vaughan brandished a second yellow for the striker, and the Seagulls were down to ten men yet again.

Realistically it ended Albion's attempt to find an equaliser, and even with Virgo now bolstering the attack, breaching the Tranmere defence for a second time was too much to ask of Brighton's ten men.

Tranmere: (4-3-3) Martin; Logan, Goodison, Broomes, Bakayogo; Edds (Barnett 55), McLaren (Taylor 78), Welsh; Thomas-Moore, Gornell, Curran. Subs not used: Cresswell, Mahon, Collister (GK), Bain, Shuker.

Albion: (4-4-2) Kuipers; Hoyte, Virgo, Elphick, McNulty (Wright 27); Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, Thornhill (Cox 46); Murray, Hart (Dickinson 81). Subs not used: G Smith (GK), Tunnicliffe, Navarro, A Davies.

Referee: Jock Waugh.

Yellow Cards: Bakayogo, Broomes (Tranmere); Murray, Bennett, Hart (Albion).

Red Cards: Murray (second booking).