Last updated on .From the section Football

Brighton moved to within two points of the Championship play-off places with a comfortable win over already-promoted Leicester.

Stephen Ward headed in the opener before Jesse Lingard nodded in Ward's ball soon after.

Leonardo Ulloa rounded goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for Brighton's third and then headed in Kazenga Lualua's cross.

Rare loss for Leicester Leicester's previous league defeat was 22 games ago, 3-1 at Brighton on 7 December

It was only Leicester's second league defeat at home this season, the other was a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in November

Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored a late consolation from Lloyd Dyer's ball.

It was a deserved and comfortable win for a Brighton side who had picked up only two points from their previous five games.

It also tainted Leicester City's promotion party as the team celebrated their return to the Premier League in front of their own fans for the first time since securing a return to the top flight.

Leicester looked a different side from the one that had not lost in their previous 21 league games - their last defeat having come at Brighton on 7 December.

Veteran Kevin Phillips headed wide early on but, after that, Brighton dominated, racing into a two-goal lead in the space of seven minutes.

First, Ward headed in from close range and then Lingard was allowed to add a second with a simple finish.

Ulloa's lobbed effort landed just wide of goal as Brighton continued to press, before Dale Stephens's flicked shot was cleared off the line.

A deserved third arrived just after the hour when Stephens's through ball found Ulloa, who rounded Schmeichel before firing into the net.

Brighton became the first team to score four goals past Leicester in a league game this season when Ulloa headed in his second of the game before substitute Taylor-Fletcher struck for Leicester in the final minute.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson:

"It was a very poor performance. Unfortunately we had too many individuals who under performed and collectively we have been very poor.

"The goals we have conceded were very uncharacteristic of us. They were poor goals. But we looked a shadow of what we have been about this season.

"It was really disappointing to put on that sort of performance on what should have been an evening where we were celebrating getting promotion. So that's a big wake up for us."

Brighton manager Oscar Garcia:

"This was a massive result for us and I could not be more proud of my players for the way they performed.

"We have been playing pretty well and were wanting to win against a side going into the Premier League. We wanted to come here and play well but we knew it would not be easy against the a team like Leicester. But we were the better team from the start.

"The win has put us in a good position but I only look at the next game and focus on that. I hope the players do the same."