Seagulls foiled by Canaries thanks to two own goals by their keeper

NEWLY-promoted Brighton lost 2-0 last night despite Norwich not managing a shot on target – with visiting goalkeeper David Stockdale scoring two own goals.

The Seagulls stopper twice dived to try to keep out well-stuck first-half shots from Alex Pritchard, and twice the efforts came back off the woodwork, hit the luckless keeper and rebounded back into the net.

The goals – in the 18th and 39 minutes – ended any hope Chris Hughton’s side had of confirming top spot in the Championship, having clinched promotion on Easter Monday, but they still have two more chances to get the three points they need to pip Newcastle.

For the Canaries, it was another reminder of what might have been, following the poor mid-season run that ended their hopes of promotion and cost Alex Neil, who was back at Carrow Road as a TV pundit, his job.

Both sides had chances to get their noses in front in a lively start to the game.

A goal was coming and it arrived on 18 minutes when Pritchard answered the Brighton boo-boys in the best possible fashion. The diminutive midfielder, who pulled out of a move to the Seagulls to join Norwich last year, sent a rising drive crashing against the bar after good work from Josh Murphy, and the ball came off the back of the diving Stockdale and bounced back into the net.

Norwich deservedly doubled their lead on 39 minutes, with history incredibly repeating itself.

This time Pritchard tried his luck from 20 yards after the hosts had worked the ball across the edge of the area and, when his effort came back of the upright, it once again deflected back in off the diving Stockdale.