Leicester City relinquished top spot in the Championship by losing their second game in a row at Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon.

The hosts were 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Ashley Barnes and Craig Conway before Andy King's header sparked a Leicester barrage but they couldn't find an equaliser.

Barnes tucked home a penalty to put the result beyond doubt and move Brighton within three points of the playoff places.

Below, Sports Mole casts its eye over an entertaining game on the South coast.

Match statistics:

Brighton:
Shots 17
On target 4
Possession 50%
Corners 2
Fouls 8

Leicester:
Shots 15
On target 8
Possession 50%
Corners 4
Fouls 14

Was the result fair?

Just about, yes. Brighton were the better side in the first half but then were so fortunate to not concede two quick goals in a spell of dominance for Leicester in the second. Apart from that 10-minute spell, Brighton were the better side and deservedly got three points.

Brighton's performance

Oscar Garcia won November's Manager of the Month and he certainly has found a good formula at the moment. His side bounced back brilliantly from Tuesday's defeat to rockbottom Barnsley with an assured performance today.

Leicester's performance

The Foxes will want to forget about the last five days quickly. They had lost just three times in the previous four months but two quick losses means they are no longer top. Today, deadly attacking duo David Nugent and Jamie Vardy were kept very quiet. Anthony Knockaert was dropped to the bench and Nigel Pearson may regret that decision as he looked dangerous when he came on at half time.

Sports Mole's man of the match

David Lopez: He may have only played 74 minutes, but Lopez's two passes for Brighton's goals in the first half were top quality. He was assured on the ball and ensured that Brighton maintained possession well against good opposition.

Biggest gaffe

Really hard to pick out an obvious gaffe today but we're going to highlight King's miss soon after he had pulled one back.

Referee performance

Robert Madley dished out six bookings but didn't have any contentious decisions to deal with. He booked Marcin Wasilewski very early and could have sent off the Leicester defender for a second tasty tackle. The one and only gripe of a solid refereeing display.

What next?

Brighton: Next up for the Seagulls is a 315-mile trip North to visit Middlesbrough next Saturday.

Leicester: Meanwhile, it's a massive game next week for Leicester as they host fellow high-flyers Burnley.