A goal by new signing Tony Rougier only three minutes after his debut gave Brighton a vital Division One win over Millwall at the Withdean Stadium.

Rougier, signed on loan in midweek from Reading, came on midway through the second half and with virtually his first touch of the ball scored the goal that gave Brighton their third win in a row.

Brighton started brightly and had a good effort from Simon Rodger saved by Tony Warner in the Millwall goal.

Veteran home goalkeeper Dave Beasant soon found himself in action, tipping a 35-yard free-kick from Steven Reid over the bar.

But Bobby Zamora wasted a good chance when he headed over from the centre of the six-yard box.

Beasant had to be on his toes to keep out a volley from Paul Ifill and Ifill had another good chance a couple of minutes later.

Zamora went close when his curling shot hit the woodwork and right on half-time Millwall almost snatched the lead, but Neil Harris' curling shot went agonisingly wide.

Brighton almost broke the deadlock when Rodger met a Paul Brooker cross but his close-range header was tipped over by Warner.

Brighton boss Steve Coppell brought on Rougier in the 62nd minute and he had been on the pitch three minutes when he collected Graham Barrett's cross to sweep the ball home from close range.

Barrett almost doubled the Seagull's lead but his close-range header went wide.

Millwall brought on Moses Ashikodi in the 72nd minute and his shot almost brought Millwall an equaliser but Rodger was on hand to block the youngster's effort.

Millwall's Christophe Kinet shot wide from close range - leaving Brighton to claim a vital and well-deserved victory.

Teams

Brighton Beasant, Ingimarsson, Cullip, Blackwell, Watson, Carpenter, Mayo, Rodger, Brooker (Rougier 62), Zamora, Barrett.

Subs Not Used: Oatway, Jones, Packham, Piercy.

Goals: Rougier 65.

Millwall Warner, Ryan, Robinson, Ward, Dunne, Ifill, Livermore, Reid (Kinet 75), Harris (Ashikodi 73), Claridge, Hearn.

Subs Not Used: Bull, Rees, Gueret.

Booked: Hearn, Robinson.

Att: 6,751

Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).