Match Report: Cool Tomasz Kuszczak leaves Cardiff with red faces

Cardiff City 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 2

It was a case of red scarves, red faces for Cardiff after a goalkeeping masterclass from Tomasz Kuszczak inspired Brighton to a shock win at Championship leaders Cardiff.

Andrea Orlandi and Leonardo Ulloa struck in either half to inflict the first defeat for Malky Mackay's side in 10 league matches which cuts their advantage to just five points.

Cardiff's billionaire owner Vincent Tan handed out free red scarves to the club's supporters before kick-off. But it was Brighton's Polish No 1 who was in red-hot form after producing a man-of-the-match performance which included superb saves to stop efforts from Peter Whittingham, Craig Bellamy and Craig Conway.

The Seagulls assistant manager, Charlie Oatway, standing in for flu-ridden Gus Poyet, reckons the ex-Manchester United stopper is still good enough to perform in the top-flight. Oatway said: "Tomasz is one of the best keepers outside the Premiership and probably should be having his trade still in it.

"We were fortunate to bring him to this football club and thankfully he's with us. Hopefully he'll keep producing performances like that.

"Tomasz made some good saves, but to be fair, we rode our luck at times. It's a fantastic result for us.

Against the run of play, Orlandi ruined Mackay's 41st birthday celebrations with a 43rd-minute close-range finish before Ulloa's injury-time effort guided Brighton closer to the play-offs.

But, despite seeing Cardiff's lead trimmed by nearest rivals Hull, Mackay insists there is no concern in the Welsh capital. He said: "Had we not played well and been beaten then I would be annoyed at the boys, but I thought we played well.

"To create 22 attempts on target was incredible against a good side and it showed the spirit determination and bravery the boys have got.

"Some of the chances were good saves, others wasn't so good finishing. It was a bit of everything and it became one of those nights where the goal became a charmed life."

Cardiff City Marshall; Connolly, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Noone (Conway, 53), Whittingham, Smith, Gunnarsson, Bellamy, Campbell (Helguson 84). Substitutes not used Lewis, McNaughton, Cowie, Kim, Mason.

Brighton & Hove Albion Kuszczak; Saltor, El-Abd, Upson, Bridge, Buckley, Hammond (Calderon 75), David Lopez, Bridcutt, Orlandi (Dicker 70), Ulloa. Substitutes not used Ankergren, Vicente, LuaLua, Barker, Forster-Caskey.

Referee K Stroud (Hampshire).