On-loan Town midfielder George O'Callaghan was sent off for a stamp on Carlisle striker Joe Garner as Brighton drew 2-2 with the Cumbrians at the Withdean Stadium on Saturday. Former Blue Nicky Forster scored both goals for the Seagulls to take him to nine for the season.

Brighton boss Dean Wilkins says O'Callaghan saw red in more ways than one in the 65th minute after an over-the-top challenge by Garner on a team-mate: "The incident that led to the sending off was Joel Lynch over-running the ball in the middle of the field. Garner went in two-footed. I've seen the video and he takes off, two-footed, and you can argue that it should have been a freekick there and then.

"George, having seen that, has then done something that he will slightly regret. I can't condone the incident and I will lose him for three games now.

"I will just have to find a solution that will keep us flowing and keep us picking up points. It's a blow, and a slightly self-inflicted one, but I have played in games like that where your back gets up because you think that everyone is against you."

Brighton are keen to secure O'Callaghan and fellow Town man Matt Richards on further loans when their current deals are up. O'Callaghan's half-season spell ends on December 31st and Richards's 93-day loan finishes on December 21st.

Meanwhile, Dean Bowditch made his debut for new loan club Northampton as a 57th minute substitute as the Cobblers lost 2-0 at home to Walsall.

Photo: Action Images

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