Brighton came from behind to secure a vital 2-1 victory over Hull in a closely-contested encounter at the Withdean Stadium.

Stuart Elliott had given the visitors an early lead but goals from Sebastien Carole and Charlie Oatway handed Brighton a much-needed victory as they bid to pull away from the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone.

Hull had been in good form, despite their injury problems, and were unbeaten in their last four Championship fixtures while, in contrast, this was Brighton's first victory since October.

The Seagulls had gone into the game with the second worst home record in the league - just one win all season - and that statistic did not look like changing when Hull went ahead with less than four minutes on the clock.

Andy Dawson swung over a corner for Leon Cort to head back across goal to Elliott and the Northern Ireland international made no mistake from six yards.

But Brighton came back in determined mood and drew level in the 16th minute with their first attack.

Carole, signed by the Seagulls in the summer from Monaco, drilled the ball beyond Boaz Myhill from 20 yards for his second of the season.

Two minutes later though, they came close to falling behind again when former England international Nick Barmby headed towards goal only for Alan Blayney to tip the ball around the post to safety.

Jason Price saw his shot blocked midway through the half while Carole continued to provide the main threat for Brighton as he volleyed wide from distance.

Colin Kazim-Richards had a good chance to put the home side ahead in the 34th minute but headed just wide from a Carole cross.

But things looked good for Brighton when, on the stroke of half-time, Oatway collected a pass from Paul Reid and curled his shot into the top of the net.

Hull manager Peter Taylor brought on Stuart Green and Billy Paynter for John Welsh and Barmby after the break as they looked to get themselves back into the game.

But it was the home side who appeared most likely to add to their lead and in the 56th minute Kazim-Richards' drilled effort from 25 yards flew over the crossbar.

That proved to be the best chance from either side for the next 20 minutes as the two teams battled for possession without really threatening.

Dawson drilled a shot over as the game entered the final few minutes but Brighton were not to be denied a priceless three points.

Teams:

Brighton Blayney, Reid, El-Abd, Butters, Mayo, Carole, Oatway, Hammond, Frutos (McCammon 67), Kazim-Richards, Hart, McCammon (Robinson 89).

Subs Not Used: Nicolas, Tommy Elphick, Chaigneau.

Booked: El-Abd, Kazim-Richards.

Goals: Carole 16, Oatway 45.

Hull Myhill, Price (Andrews 78), Cort, Collins, Dawson, France, Welsh (Green 45), Delaney, Barmby (Paynter 45), Elliott, Fagan.

Subs Not Used: Lynch, Duke.

Goals: Elliott 4.

Att: 6,929

Ref: K Stroud (Hampshire).