Two penalties from Tommy Miller helped the Blues to a 3-2 victory over Brighton at the Withdean Stadium. Kevin Lisbie had put Town in front before the Albion hit back via Nicky Forster and Kevin McLeod prior to Miller's double.

Richard Wright started in goal with Chris Casement on the right and David Wright on the left. Gareth McAuley, again Town's captain, was joined at the centre of the defence by Alex Bruce. Pim Balkestein was back at Portman Road having aggravated a groin injury on Saturday.

In midfield, Liam Trotter started on the left, Jaime Peters on the right and Veliche Shumilikoski and Owen Garvan in the centre, while Kevin Lisbie made his first start of pre-season alongside Alan Lee. Pablo Couñago missed out due to a knock sustained on Saturday.

Town dominated the first half and went close to scoring in the 14th minute when Alan Lee blasted over from eight yards from a Kevin Lisbie cross.

Five minutes later, Lee played in Jaime Peters but Brighton keeper Michels Kuipers was out quickly to block his shot.

The Blues went in front in the 21st minute when Chris Casement crossed from the right, Liam Trotter headed the ball down and Kevin Lisbie turned and hit a shot past Kuipers for his second goal in two games.

Town almost immediately came close to adding to their lead, Kuipers making a superb double save, first from Lee and then from Lisbie.

The Brighton keeper scrambled a Lisbie effort off his own line in the 27th minute as the Blues continued to dominate.

On 34 a Jaime Peters cross from left was headed wide by Owen Garvan when he should have scored.

Seven minutes later, Trotter sent in a cross to Lee, but the Irishman shot straight at the keeper.

Peters went over from close range just before the whistle went with Brighton lucky only to be behind by the single goal with the Lee-Lisbie combination settling immediately. Lee often dropped deeper, while Trotter and Garvan in midfield supplied through balls for Lisbie.

The traditional pre-season substitutions began at half-time with David Wright and Gareth McAuley making way for Danny Haynes and Tommy Smith, Chris Casement switching to centre-half and Jaime Peters to right-back with Smith at left-back. Brighton withdrew Town loanee Matt Richards.

Town's performance never hit the heights of the first half and in the 53rd minute the home side were back on terms. Richard Wright and Liam Trotter collided as they looked to clear a corner and the ball fell to former Blue Nicky Forster, who stabbed home from a couple of yards.

The Blues switched more personnel, Jordan Rhodes and Alan Quinn taking over from Lee and Shumulikoski.

On 59 the Seagulls went in front after Casement failed to pick up his man, causing Peters to be drawn in side. Forster was able to pick out Kevin McLeod, who struck a low drive which left Richard Wright standing.

Wright was replaced by Shane Supple, then Dean Bowditch and Tommy Miller took over from Kevin Lisbie and Liam Trotter.

Town were back in terms in the 69th minute when Tommy Smith was pushed as a corner came into the box. Miller took the kick, his third of pre-season, and lashed the ball into the top left-hand corner.

Three minutes later Miller netted his fourth spotkick of pre-season after Danny Haynes was pulled back by David Livermore. This time the ball went to the keeper's right.

Town deserved their win on the first half display which was as well as the Blues have played so far. But for some poor finishing the half-time lead could have been far higher than the single goal.

The big highlight was the partnership formed by Lee and Lisbie, while Jaime Peters impressed. Town failed to sparkle so brightly after the break with the substitutions weakening the Blues, while Brighton perked up after Forster's goal.

Town: Wright (Supple 61), Casement, Wright (Smith 46), McAuley (Smith 46), Bruce, Shumulikoski (Quinn 58), Peters, Garvan, Lisbie (Bowditch 67), Lee (Rhodes 58), Trotter (Miller 67).

Photo: Action Images

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