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Brighton have won 11 of their 14 home league games this season, losing just once at the Amex Stadium

Brighton went back to the top of the Championship thanks to Tomer Hemed's winner against a determined Cardiff.

Chris Hughton's side were dominant in the second half but had to wait until the 73rd minute when Oliver Norwood found Hemed who fired home.

The visiting Bluebirds had threatened in the first period, but David Stockdale denied Kenneth Zohore.

The match had been rearranged after the scheduled meeting on 30 December was postponed because of fog.

Cardiff remain 16th in the Championship while Brighton hold a two-point advantage over Newcastle.

The Seagulls made a fast start and could have led after four minutes, but winger Jamie Murphy could not quite connect with a cross.

Joe Ralls went close with Cardiff's first effort and Zohore spurned a good opportunity when he raced clear on 23 minutes before firing straight at David Stockdale.

The visitors again went close through Sean Morrison who headed firmly at goal from Ralls' free-kick, but Stockdale tipped the ball over the bar.

The goalkeeper was again called into action when Junior Hoilett cut inside and fired at goal, but Stockdale produced a fingertip stop to turn the ball wide.

Brighton did test Allan McGregor just before the break when Solly March broke clear, but his effort was held by the on-loan goalkeeper.

However, if Cardiff shaded the first period, the promotion-chasing hosts were dominant after the restart.

Hughton's men wasted one of the best opportunities of the match when Israel international Hemed missed from close range after March's cross.

Tomer Hemed has scored five goals is 21 league appearances for Brighton this season

The longer the game stayed level the more Cardiff attempted to frustrate, but Brighton got their breakthrough when substitute Norwood found Hemed, who turned past defender Sol Bamba and smashed the ball into the net.

Murphy almost made it two only a minute later after Connor Goldson's cut-back, but McGregor denied him. Anthony Knockaert also missed a late chance to increase the advantage.

Brighton held on despite a late effort from substitute Craig Noone that was blocked.

The defeat for Neil Warnock's side was the first time Cardiff have lost a league game away at Brighton since January 2002, when Bobby Zamora netted the winner for the Seagulls.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton told BBC Sussex: "They've got good players in their team and we had to be patient and look for the opportunities.

"I think you've got to give them credit, but it was going to be that one bit of brilliance or one bit of really good play that was going to break the deadlock, and I always felt it was going to be us rather than them.

"The league is too tough to be able to expect anything different than what we expect, and that's everybody behind us in the table really pushing."

Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock told BBC Radio Wales: "I asked the players to show how far we have come and I thought we more than matched them at times.

"It shows me what we are looking for and what we need to succeed.

"I think Brighton will be glad that they don't play us again. We had good chances and their goalkeeper has made three good saves."