Brighton and Hove Albion lost their important away game at Coventry City 2-1, to renew fears of relegation. Rami Shaaban was unable to recover from a toe injury, watching from the bench as on-loan keeper Alan Blayney was given his Seagulls debut.

Shaaban was left out of the starting line-up, after he failed to shake off an injury which would affect his kicking. Adam El Abd was also left out of the whole squad once again.

In what seems to be a developing pattern for Brighton, a controversial penalty was given against them, and this surely had an impact on the final result of this vital game. Brighton were only three points ahead of Coventry, who were in the drop-zone, and the Sky-Blues had a superior goal-difference. With this result, both clubs are now a single point above the relegation zone, and Brighton have the second worst goal difference in the league.

Coventry City were awarded a controversial penalty on 47 minutes, after some shirt-pulling, with both teams surprised at the referee's decision. McSheffrey scored from the spot.