Scunthorpe ran out 4-1 winners against a previously unbeaten Brighton and Hove Albion side at the Withdean Stadium, recording a fourth successive victory.

Martyn Woolford's tap-in opened the scoring for Nigel Adkins' men, and then Gary Hooper clinically added a hat-trick (one goal coming before half-time) to finish off the hosts.

Jake Robinson pulled a goal back late on but it was too little too late for Albion.

Ahead of the game, the Iron made just one change from the side which beat Stockport 3-0 at Edgeley Park last Saturday.

Woolford, making his league debut, was named in the side in place of Kevan Hurst, but other than that there were no other changes.

Joe Murphy started the game in goal for Nigel Adkins' side, with Cliff Byrne, David Mirfin, Krystian Pearce and Marcus Williams playing in defence.

The midfield consisted of Garry Thompson, Sam Togwell, Grant McCann and Woolford, while Paul Hayes and Hooper led the attack.

The away substitutes were Matt Sparrow, Michael Lea, Ian Morris, Ben May and goalkeeper Josh Lillis.

It was a breezy afternoon on the South Coast, with Scunthorpe kicking off shooting towards the home end.

And they managed to get off to a perfect start when Woolford notched at the back post to put his side a goal to the good.

United were rewarded for early pressure when Hooper's shot was blocked out. The ball then reached Hayes, whose cross was deflected into the path of the former York City man, who notched home his first-ever goal for the club.

The hosts were spurred on by conceding, and had their first chance of the game soon after when highly-rated striker Glenn Murray's header was well caught by Murphy.

Micky Adams' side then could have levelled on 14 minutes when Murray raced through, with Murphy saving superbly at his feet. The Iron 'stopper needed treatment from physio Alex Dalton, but soldiered on.

Tommy Elphick headed well wide from Kevin McLeod's centre as the home team continued to press.

Although the Iron looked dangerous on the counter-attack, it was the hosts who were having the best chances - this time through Dean Cox, whose header from 12 yards was well tipped out by Murphy at his bottom left-hand post.

Scunthorpe then needed Byrne to be fully alert to block a goalbound effort from Nicky Forster on 36 minutes.

The Iron then added to their advantage in the third minute of stoppage time when Hooper capitalised on poor defending to hold off his man and drill an effort past Michel Kuipers from 10 yards for his fourth goal of the season. The visitors went in two ahead at the break, and it was the perfect finish to the half for Adkins' men.

United had their first chance of the second period on 51 minutes when Hayes headed over from a cross by Togwell.

And it didn't take them long to add a third goal, as Hooper took advantage of more poor defending to fire past Kuipers from the right-hand side of the penalty area. It was a goal reminiscent of his first against Stockport last weekend, and his fifth of the campaign so far.

Even though the game was well over as a contest, the previously unbeaten home team kept going - with Murray forcing an excellent save from Murphy after he had got into space on the left-hand side of the penalty area.

The away side made it four when Hooper clinched his hat-trick on 68 minutes. He once again beat Colin Hawkins to drill a low effort past Kuipers. His celebration was cut short though, as he went down injured after he scored. However, following treatment from physio Dalton, he was soon back on his feet. He was then replaced by May two minutes later, as the travelling Scunthorpe contingent - and the home support - gave the three-goal hero a standing ovation.

Brighton pulled a goal back on 74 minutes when Jake Robinson headed home from close range after a cross by Simon Cox.

The game was as good as over though, and Scunthorpe stayed comfortable until referee Phil Crossley blew his full-time whistle.

Attendance: 5,529.