YEOVIL Town were keen to end 2007 with a win, following a disappointing defeat against Swindon Town on Boxing Day that ended the Glovers' unbeaten December.

Russell Slade was forced to make two changes for the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion, with Matty Rose replacing the ill Darren Way and suspended captain Terry Skiverton making way for Scott Guyett.

In bright and crisp conditions Yeovil were first to challenge their opponents, with Gary Dempsey neatly putting Charlton Athletic loanee James Walker through on goal. With the ball holding under his feet the striker waited for his opportunity before firing wide.

Three minutes later the Glovers were threatening again, with another accurate chip over the top from Dempsey starting the move. Marcus Stewart supplied Zoltan Stieber with a crossing opportunity on the left, with his effort glanced away by a Brighton head with green and white shirts rushing into the box.

After 18 minutes Yeovil's hardwork was undone by sloppy defending which gifted Albion the opening goal.

Guyett took too long in possession on the edge of the 18 yard box, with Nicky Forster making the most of his indecision. Despite no defenders for company he unselfishly fed Alex Revell for an easy tap-in.

Yeovil tried their best not to be too deflated with the blow, attempting to dominate play and force Brighton to camp in their own half. Despite the endeavour a final ball of quality and the ability to carve open a chance was lacking and the Sussex outfit looked to push forward when they could.

Four minutes before the half time whistle the Glovers' hard work paid dividends when Dempsey ended a move of genuine class for his first goal for the club.

Stewart's inch-perfect through-ball was latched onto by the Irish midfielder who gained his composure before exquisitely chipped over Michael Kuipers in the Brighton goal.

With the roar of a bumper 6,881 Huish Park crowd behind them Yeovil continued to pile forward, coming close to doubling their tally after 44 minutes. Walker's turn and shot from 25 yards was close enough to bring a full-length dive to his left from Kuipers, but crept wide of the post.

Yeovil ended the half as they had started - the better team - but were left to rue a defensive error that could have seen them one ahead.

HALF TIME - Yeovil Town 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 1

Yeovil returned for the second half continuing in the same manner as they left the first and took only five minutes to take the lead, thanks to another defensive calamity.

Defender Adam El-Abd slipped sending a clearance vertical. Kuipers charged off his line hoping to punch the ball only to collide with Joel Lynch. Stieber reacted the quickest to slide the ball home with ease, opening his account in a Yeovil shirt.

Shortly before the hour mark Brighton's defence was again on red alert as Nathan Jones and Stieber linked well down the left. The Welshman's run forced his former team back before a clever one-two with Stieber forced Lynch to block Jones's cross.

The resultant corner was badly dealt with and twice Stieber and Walker had stabs at goal after Kuipers had lost the ball on the ground.

After having a relatively quiet game beforehand, Steve Mildenhall had to be at his best after 65 minutes to deny substitute Doug Loft. Shooting from 20 yards through a pack of players, Loft would have levelled had it not been for an energetic dive from Mildenhall to his left.

Buouyed by their attack the Seagulls forced a series of corners in quick succession, with the home team digging deep to hold out.

Mildenhall's magic was matched by Kuipers moments later, when the giant Dutchman palmed away a shot from Marcus Stewart that looked destined for the back of the net to finish a three-touch move started by the Yeovil 'keeper.

Stewart's shot was his last of the game, as he and Paul Warne were substituted shortly after, leaving the field to be replaced by Marvin Williams and Lloyd Owusu.

Stieber could have doubled his total after 74 minutes but drilled his shot into the side-netting, wasting persistent work from Walker to retrieve the ball.

With five minutes on the clock Slade made his final substitution of the game, bringing off Stieber allowing Marc Bircham his first competitive appearance in a Yeovil shirt.

Despite five minutes of injury time and Brighton throwing all they could behind attacks in pursuit of an equaliser, Yeovil clung on to claim all three points.

The Glovers looked strong in midfield and attack with the defence looking tight more often than not. Slade's men bounced back in ideal fashion entering the new year on a high.