Brighton & Hove Albion have reached the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Newcastle United at The Amex.

The home side started the encounter brightly and almost pulled ahead in the eighth minute when James Perch cleared Gary Dicker's header from David Lopez's cross off the line.

Newcastle were struggling for possession in the opening exchanges and launched their first attack in the 22nd minute when Gael Bigirimana took an attempt from 25 yards only to see it saved by Casper Ankergren.

Then in the 32nd minute Gus Poyet's side broke the deadlock as Andrea Orlandi collected a Wayne Bridge cross from the left and volleyed home from 10 yards.

Orlandi could have doubled Brighton's advantage in the opening minutes of the second half had his effort from 25 yards been on target.

Moments later Nile Ranger spurned a good opportunity for the visitors when he sent his volley from inside the Brighton area high over the crossbar.

Things went from bad to worse for Newcastle on 62 minutes as Shola Ameobi was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The Seagulls wrapped up the win with four minutes of normal time remaining on the clock when Will Hoskins latched onto a through-ball from Lopez and slotted home past Rob Elliot.