West Ham climbed to second in the Championship after scraping a 1-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium tonight.
Kevin Nolan scored the game's solitary goal to earn the Hammers victory and move them within three points of Southampton at the top of the table.
Gus Poyet named newly-acquired loanees Steve Harper and Gonzalo Jara Reyes in his starting lineup, but neither enjoyed successful starts to their Seagulls careers.
Harper was partially at fault as Nolan put the visitors ahead with 16 minutes played after a string of defensive errors.
The Hammers skipper dispossessed Leon Bridcutt in front of the Brighton penalty area and then shot at goal, with Harper only able to help the ball on its way into the home side's net.
Brighton responded well to going behind and enjoyed the majority of possession in the latter stages of the first-half.
Scotland international Craig Mackail-Smith, a summer target for West Ham, created their best opportunity but his shot was superbly saved by Manuel Almunia in the Hammers net.
French international Julien Faubert squandered an excellent opportunity to secure the points for Sam Allardyce's side, but his effort was blocked by Brighton defender Gordon Greer.
To make Brighton's night worse, midfielder Gary Dicker was stretchered off after suffering a leg injury in the second half.
Despite late pressure, the home side were unable to turn possession into clear-cut chances and West Ham hung on to claim the victory.
Joe Fish
