A first-half penalty by Danny Higginbottom earned Derby the three points and plunged Brighton into more trouble towards the bottom of the First Division.

The former Manchester United defender held his nerve to settle a tense encounter and boost County's hopes of climbing into the promotion frame.

Rams boss John Gregory kept faith with a three-man front line despite the sale of Deon Burton to Portsmouth, with 18-year-old Izale McLeod stepping into the breach.

And his team started with the greater urgency, Craig Burley firing an early free-kick wide and forcing Brighton keeper Michels Kuipers into action with another drilled effort from outside the area.

At the other end Albion talisman Bobby Zamora was making a nuisance of himself, and he gave the hosts a warning with a snap-shot from 25 yards that Chris Riggott blocked.

But other than the England Under-21 man's efforts, Brighton were offering little in attack and it was no surprise when Derby took the lead.

The goal though came in a controversial manner.

Hinshelwood was adjudged to have handled the ball as he fell to ground challenging Lee Morris and Higginbotham stepped up to dispatch the 30th-minute spot-kick.

Gregory was forced to make two half-time changes, replacing Higginbotham and Robert Lee with Adam Murray and Pablo Mills.

And the substitutions threatened to knock Derby out of their stride as Brighton showed more attacking endeavour.

Richard Carpenter forced a fingertip save from the previously under-worked Lee Grant, who then had to be alert to keep out a Robbie Pethick effort from 25 yards.

Zamora then missed a golden chance to haul Brighton level, heading over from inside the six yard box with the goal at his mercy.

Derby: Grant, Barton, Riggott, Elliott, Higginbotham, Boertien, Burley, Lee, Morris, Christie, McLeod. Subs: Oakes, Kinkladze, Murray, Evatt, Mills.

Brighton: Kuipers, Hinshelwood, Pethick, Cullip, Mayo, Jones, Sidwell, Carpenter, Rodger, Barrett, Zamora. Subs: Packham, Butters, Hart, Oatway, Brooker.

Referee: P Rejer (Worcestershire)