THREE players were red-carded as Leeds United lost 2-1 to play-off bound Brighton in the npower Championship.

Ten minutes in, Tom Lees’ short back-pass was seized upon by Will Buckley for Brighton’s bonus lead. Two minutes later it got worse for Leeds as Rodolph Austin barged over Ashley Barnes off the ball and referee Graham Scott sent him off.

On 74 minutes El Hadji Diouf was brought down by Inigo Calderon. The Brighton player was dismissed and Diouf converted the spotkick.

Diouf ran 50 yards to gesticulate at the visiting fans and, before the game was restarted, followed Calderon down the tunnel.

Nine-man Leeds battled on but Brighton claimed the points when Leonardo Ulloa headed the 88th-minute winner.