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Wigan stayed on course for promotion to the Premiership after producing a stunning first-half display at the Withdean Stadium.
Paul Jewell's Championship leaders stormed into a 4-0 lead after just 34 minutes.
The Latics arrived late after their coach was stuck in traffic on the way down to the South Coast.
Brighton must have wished they had not turned up at all as Mark McGhee's strugglers quickly found themselves in a jam.
Jimmy Bullard fired Wigan ahead after just 93 seconds with a dipping 25-yard drive after Nathan Ellington had headed on a long ball from Ian Breckin.
The Latics were 2-0 up inside four minutes, Lee McCulloch turning onto a cross from Leighton Baines to fire home from close range.
Brighton fell further behind in the 17th minute when Jason Roberts opened up the home defence before setting up Gary Teale for Wigan's third.
Roberts got in on the act after 34 minutes with a glancing header from McCulloch's cross, his 18th goal of the season.
Wigan threatened to run riot at that stage but Brighton pulled a goal back two minutes later, Adam Virgo stabbing in his seventh of the season from ten yards.
Brighton, to their credit, kept on going in the second half.
Substitute Chris McPhee headed against the bar following a long throw and they pulled another goal back with seven minutes left.
Dean Hammond headed in a free-kick from fellow substitute Paul Watson, the first league goal of his career.
Latest Form Tables
Wigan stayed on course for promotion to the Premiership after producing a stunning first-half display at the Withdean Stadium.
Paul Jewell's Championship leaders stormed into a 4-0 lead after just 34 minutes.
The Latics arrived late after their coach was stuck in traffic on the way down to the South Coast.
Brighton must have wished they had not turned up at all as Mark McGhee's strugglers quickly found themselves in a jam.
Jimmy Bullard fired Wigan ahead after just 93 seconds with a dipping 25-yard drive after Nathan Ellington had headed on a long ball from Ian Breckin.
The Latics were 2-0 up inside four minutes, Lee McCulloch turning onto a cross from Leighton Baines to fire home from close range.
Brighton fell further behind in the 17th minute when Jason Roberts opened up the home defence before setting up Gary Teale for Wigan's third.
Roberts got in on the act after 34 minutes with a glancing header from McCulloch's cross, his 18th goal of the season.
Wigan threatened to run riot at that stage but Brighton pulled a goal back two minutes later, Adam Virgo stabbing in his seventh of the season from ten yards.
Brighton, to their credit, kept on going in the second half.
Substitute Chris McPhee headed against the bar following a long throw and they pulled another goal back with seven minutes left.
Dean Hammond headed in a free-kick from fellow substitute Paul Watson, the first league goal of his career.