Swindon Town 0 - 1 Brighton

Swindon 0-1 Brighton

Updated: May 16, 2004, 1:10 PM ET

Brighton's Richard Carpenter bagged the only goal of the game as the Seagulls overcame Swindon in the first leg of their Nationwide Division Two play-off semi-final.

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.

Now the Seagulls, beaten only twice at home in league action so far this season, 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.

Though the protagonists had proved willing enough during the early stages, quality was in short supply and neither goalkeeper found themselves extended inside the opening 20 minutes.

The first goalmouth incident of note arrived when Brian Howard scampered along the Swindon left and beat Adam Virgo before producing a fierce and low cross which was almost diverted into his own net by the lunging Charlie Oatway.

But the hosts failed to capitalise from the resulting corner and with both sides continuing to misfire badly, Andy Gurney advanced from the Swindon defensive line to unleash the first shot of the game which was well over.

With 10 minutes to the break, Mooney squandered a glorious opportunity to put the Robins in front after Sam Parkin had delivered an accurate cross from the right wing.

But Mooney, stationed at the back post, could only head wide of a gaping net.

With Brighton wilting in the Wiltshire heat, it was Swindon who were endeavouring to finish the opening period with a flourish as Igoe led the charge.

And it was the diminutive midfielder's improvised long-range effort from Mooney's lay-off which almost broke the first-half deadlock as the interval loomed, only for the junction of post and bar to intervene.

David Duke, who had left prostrate on the touchline after a late challenge from the yellow-carded Leon Knight, was replaced by Grant Smith with less than 10 minutes of the second half played.

And it had been Knight who was responsible for winning Brighton's right-wing free-kick following which Chris Iwelumo hacked over the bar.

Shortly before the hour Dan Harding's name became the second in referee Neale Barry's book after having blatantly held the on-rushing Mooney who would go on to hit the bar in the 64th minute after Igoe's canny chip had set free Smith for a cross from the left wing.

Brighton made their first substitution in the 69th minute when Gary Hart replaced Paul Reid and three minutes later the Seagulls took their lead after Carpenter hit a powerful drive from the edge of the Swindon box which was deflected home at Rhys Evans' near post.

Swindon had threatened an equaliser late in the game but some desperate defending served to keep them at bay.