Ipswich Town lost their unbeaten start to the season after a 3-2 home defeat to Brighton, who go top of the Championship as a result.

Kazenga Lualua and Tomer Hemed fired Brighton 2-0 up after just 12 minutes and the visitors went on to dominate the first half.

Freddie Sears and substitute David McGoldrick, from the spot, got Town on level terms from 2-0 down after the break, but the Seagulls, who had several other chances to make the game safe - including a shot from Dale Stephens that hit the post - deservedly shot back in front just two minutes later, Hemed heading home.

Lualua gave the visitors a tenth minute lead, holding off Josh Emmanuel before firing a low shot from the edge of the area across Dean Gerken.

The Seagulls were in ecstasy two minutes later when Hemed got the slightest of touches with his head from Stephens’ free-kick.

The visitors were dominating the game and Hemed, then Sam Baldock, both dragged wide, before Sears twice went close for the hosts, the second time with an effort from a cleverly-worked free-kick that went a yard or so wide.

Town got back into the game shortly after the interval when Sears fired home at the back post after Brett Pitman’s near post shot had cannoned off the post.

Town, with McGoldrick - a half-time sub - pulling the strings were then in dreamland when Ryan Fraser was brought down by Bruno in the area and McGoldrick fired home the resultant spot-kick.

Less than two minutes later however, Hemed headed his second of the game, converting a Lua Lua cross at the near post.

Town: Gerken, Emmanuel (Malarcyzk, 46), Chambers, Smith, Knudsen, Maitland-Niles (McGoldrick, 46), Skuse (Coke, 68), Douglas, Fraser, Pitman, Sears. Subs not used: Bialkowski, Tabb, Kenlock, Toure

Brighton: Stockdale, Bruno, Greer, Hunemeier (Dunk, 46), Bong, Stephens, Hemed, Rosenior, Lualua, Baldock (Ince, 83), Hemed (Zamora, 78). Subs not used: Maenpaa, Murphy, Forster-Caskey, March

Referee: Keith Hill