KIERAN Trippier's first league goal for Burnley was enough to get the Clarets back to winning ways against nine-man Brighton.

Eddie Howe's side had a two-man advantage for almost 80 minutes, but the final whistle was met with relief at holding firm against late pressure from the home side.

Brighton were a man down inside the first five minutes, when Romain Vincelot was sent off for hitting out at Marvin Bartley in an off-the-ball incident.

Ashley Barnes then saw red in the 12th minute for stamping on Chris McCann.

Gus Poyet disputed most of referee Craig Pawson's decisions and went missing for a brief spell in the first half.

Burnley took the lead in his absence, when Trippier beat Casper Ankergren with a 25-yard striker just after the half-hour.

But the Clarets weren't able to make use of their extra men by building on their first-half lead, and Brighton came on strong as the clock wore down.

It needed a goalline clearance from David Edgar to deny Craig Mackail-Smith after the striker followed up an initial shot that Lee Grant saved, and the Clarets hung on through four minutes of added time.