Seagulls overcome Swindon

Swindon 0 Brighton 1

The hosts’ Sammy Igoe and Tommy Mooney had both hit the woodwork at the County Ground prior to Carpenter’s strike which was deflected home in the 72nd minute.

The Seagulls head into Thursday evening’s second leg at Withdean Stadium knowing a draw would be good enough to book their place in the Millennium Stadium play-off finals.

SWINDON: Evans, Gurney, Heywood, O’Hanlon, Nicholas (Fallon 85), Duke (Smith 54), Hewlett, Igoe, Howard, Mooney, Parkin.

BRIGHTON: Roberts, Virgo, Cullip, Butters, Harding, Reid (Hart 68), Carpenter, Oatway, Nathan Jones, Knight, Iwelumo.

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).