Gifton Noel-Williams scored two penalties shortly before the interval to ensure in-form Stoke saw off Coca-Cola Championship rivals Brighton.

The striker's goals put paid to the Seagulls' early resistance and means the Potters have won four and drawn one of their last five matches to firmly re-establish their credentials as serious play-off contenders.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis, who was this week named the Coca-Cola Championship manager of the month for February, named Michael Duberry in his starting line-up after the defender's return from Leeds on a free transfer.

Duberry, who spent 15 matches on loan at the Britannia Stadium between October and early January, lined up alongside Gerry Taggart and Wayne Thomas, who shrugged off illness and injury respectively to form a five-man backline alongside Clint Hill and Clive Clarke.

The Potters began brightly and after a balanced opening period, they began to dominate and Kevin Harper's pace and trickery gave Stoke a telling threat down the right flank.

However, Stoke at first struggled to penetrate a solid Brighton defence and Paul Reid's superb block from Noel-Williams' fierce 12-yard shot typified the visitors' determination and suggested their strength at the back was enough to lay the platform for a precious point.

Stoke midfielder David Brammer drilled an effort from 18 yards over the bar before Seagulls chief Mark McGhee took the surprising decision to replace striker Chris McPhee with midfielder Charlie Oatway after just 27 minutes.

The switch may have been designed to shore up the midfield and give Brighton an extra man in the middle of the park.

But it scarcely had an effect on proceedings as Stoke began to up the tempo and were rewarded for their efforts six minutes before the interval.

Following a free-kick, Mark McCammon fouled Duberry inside the box and Noel-Williams stepped up to coolly convert the subsequent penalty right-footed into the top corner.

Suitably inspired, the hosts continued to press and when Adam Hinshelwood handled Harper's corner inside the box a minute before the interval, Noel-Williams again converted from the spot to register his eighth goal of the season.

The second half began at breakneck speed and Brighton midfielder Alexis Nicolas fired in a 25-yard effort, which warmed the hands of Stoke keeper Steve Simonsen.

But Noel-Williams should have been celebrating his hat-trick two minutes into the second period.

Clarke delivered a delightful cross from the left flank but Noel-Williams could only direct a weak header wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

The visitors continued to fight and scrap for every ball and diminutive striker Leon Knight, largely anonymous during the opening period, began to orchestrate his side's best moves.

However, Brighton struggled to penetrate a defensive unit which has conceded the fewest goals in the division, although they kept Simonsen busy with a series of long-range efforts.

Nathan Jones forced him into action from distance before the former Everton shot-stopper repelled a further effort from Richard Carpenter to maintain his side's comfortable winning margin.

Teams:

Stoke Simonsen, Thomas, Duberry, Taggart, Hill, Harper (Henry 80), Brammer, Russell, Clarke (Greenacre 60), Jones, Noel-Williams (Clark 90).

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Buxton.

Booked: Clarke.

Goals: Noel-Williams 39 pen, 44 pen.

Brighton Shaaban, Reid, Hinshelwood, Butters, Harding, Knight, Carpenter, Nicolas (El-Abd 71), Hart, McPhee (Oatway 27), McCammon (Jones 45).

Subs Not Used: Mayo, Yelldell.

Booked: Nicolas, El-Abd.

Att: 14,908

Ref: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).