Skipper Andrew Crofts put Gillingham in front with a 35-yard drive, but Garry Richards was sent off for a bad tackle.

A Nicky Forster penalty against his former club levelled before defender Adam El Abd drove the Seagulls ahead and Tommy Elphick's header made it 3-1.

Jake Robinson's low shot made it four, but Crofts volleyed home before Sean Clohessy saw red for a second booking.

Brighton: Kuipers, Whing, El-Abd, Westlake (Mayo 90), Richards, Murray, Fraser, Elphick, Martot, Bowditch (Robinson 64), Forster.
Subs Not Used: Lynch, Hart, Dixon.

Booked: Westlake, Fraser.

Goals: Forster 23 pen, El-Abd 43, Elphick 45, Robinson 68.

Gillingham: Stillie, Cullip (Fuller 46), King, Richards, Clohessy, Nutter, Crofts, Miller, Lewis (Mulligan 58), Facey, Griffiths (Jackson 69).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Oli.

Sent Off: Richards (20), Clohessy (82).

Booked: Griffiths, Miller, Stillie, Clohessy.

Goals: Crofts 4, 76.

Att: 6,836.

Ref: Mike Thorpe (Suffolk).