Bristol Rovers 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2: Rickie Lambert's 28th goal of the season failed to save Bristol Rovers from defeat as Brighton fought back from behind to claim a win which took them out of the League One relegation zone.

Lambert struck in the 28th minute to fire the Pirates in front, but the Seagulls grabbed a leveller just before the break. On-loan marksman Lloyd Owusu was credited with the final touch, although there was a suspicion Gary Hart's cross went into the net off Jeff Hughes.

But there was no doubt about the visitors' winner, substitute Calvin Andrew powerfully heading home Hart's cross in the 52nd minute to grab a lifeline for the South Coast club.

Rovers fought hard to get back into the game but Brighton were in no mood to let their advantage slip as they battled doggedly to protect their lead and collect three crucial points in their survival bid.

Rovers named the same side that had started their 4-2 weekend win over Millwall, although there was a change on the bench, with young central defender Alex Kite recalled from his loan spell at Weston-super-Mare to add cover at the back.

The home side enjoyed the better of the early forays, with Lambert powering a 30-yard free-kick over the top and Chris Lines shooting wide from similar distance.

Jo Kuffour was also looking lively and it was from his pull-back that the Pirates almost took the lead in the 12th minute.

He fed Darryl Duffy to the left of Brighton's goal, but the Scot's shot was headed off the line and over the bar by defender Adam Virgo.

It was a vital rescue act for the Seagulls, who carved out their first real opportunity of the evening in the 23rd minute when on-loan Cheltenham marksman Owusu put a close-range header wide from Dean Cox's corner kick.

Shortly afterwards, Rovers went close again when Craig Disley found space to deliver a cross from the right. Duffy dived forward to meet it but saw his header go just wide of the target.

Another attack down the right flank was to provide the opening goal for the home side with the half-hour mark approaching. David Pipe went on an overlapping run down the wing, but it was Disley who provided the pass which allowed Lambert to fire home from 14 yards.

Moments later, it needed an important block by Tommy Elphick just as Kuffour was letting fly to prevent the striker quickly adding to the Pirates' tally.

Brighton had caused few real worries to the Pirates in the opening period, but still managed to summon up a leveller just before the break.

Hart supplied a cross from Brighton's left and Owusu was credited with the final touch that put the ball into the net – although it was not initially clear whether Hughes touched the ball in.

The goal gave the visitors fresh heart for the second period and a 30-yard free-kick by Doug Loft flashed narrowly wide of Steve Phillips' left-hand post before the Seagulls took the lead after 52 minutes.

Hart's cross from the right was headed powerfully home by substitute Andrew to leave Bristol Rovers chasing a game they had dominated for the most part.

The Pirates had an opportunity to get back on level terms just before the hour when Duffy broke down the right. But he chose to try to feed Kuffour rather than shooting and Brighton's defence were able to clear their lines.

Rovers fought hard to gain parity but lacked the guile to pierce the visitors' defence for a second time.

The closest they came was five minutes from the end of normal time when Lambert's header from Kuffour's cross ended up on top of the net.

Referee Kevin Friend – who issued a flurry of yellow cards in the second half – allowed five minutes of stoppage time, but Stuart Campbell hooked the last half-chance of the evening over the top from 12 yards as the away fans prepared to celebrate a crucial triumph.