Led by the pacey Bobby Zamora, struggling Brighton stormed to all three points as Steve Coppell's side turned in a four-star performance to claim their first win of 2003.

In a lively opening period, the visitors started brightly and wasted little time in signalling their intentions.

With just two minutes gone the ball broke for Paul Ince unleashed a dipping right-footed volley that flew inches wide.

Brighton took the lead when Gary Hart raced down the left leaving the defence in his wake and when he looped the ball to the back post, Zamora arrived first ahead of Lee Naylor to score.

The Brighton fans were soon celebrating again after Dean Blackwell arrived completely unmarked to thunder home Richard Carpenter's cross.

Within two minutes of the restart Brighton had extended their lead in spectacular fashion.

The hosts broke clear when a sweeping move saw Hart and Zamora exchange passes in midfield.

After the latter had raced away down the left to clip a ball back into the box, Paul Brooker burst past his marker to finish emphatically.

Wolves hit back to earn themselves a lifeline as Mark Kennedy crossed for Kenny Miller to stoop low and head home.

But just two minutes later the host's nerves were eased as Hart capped off an industrious display and wrapped up the points with the Seagulls' fourth.

Brighton: Roberts, Watson, Cullip, Blackwell, Pethick, Mayo, Brooker, Carpenter, Rodger, Hart, Zamora. Subs: Butters, Oatway, Barrett, Piercy, Beasant.

Wolverhampton: Murray, Naylor, Lescott, Butler, Edworthy, Newton, Cameron, Ince, Kennedy, Proudlock, Miller. Subs: Oakes, Rae, Andrews, Sturridge, Clyde.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire)