Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Rotherham United

Tomer Hemed has scored five goals for Brighton this season

Brighton extended their lead at the top of the Championship to five points with victory over bottom side Rotherham.

Israel international Tomer Hemed scored for the third successive Brighton game to give the hosts a 27th-minute lead.

The winless visitors improved after the break and Chris Maguire missed a good chance to level.

But Dale Stephens made it 2-0 with a crisp finish beyond Lee Camp before Jonson Clarke-Harris pulled one back with a header from a free-kick.

Brighton, who have scored first in each of their games this term, started brightly and Sam Baldock's volley flew over the bar before Jamie Murphy dragged a shot wide.

But Hemed gave the hosts a deserved lead with a neat finish from Murphy's low cross.

The Millers were given a great chance to equalise just after the restart but Maguire was unable to capitalise on some poor defending from the Seagulls.

The visitors could not make the most of their strong start to the second half and found themselves 2-0 down in the 67th minute when Stephens finished well after the ball broke into his path.

Substitute Clarke-Harris gave the Millers a glimmer of hope when he headed home Joe Newell's free-kick.

Bruno nearly made it 3-1 to Chris Hughton's side but Camp produced a fine save from his dipping volley as the hosts saw the game out.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton: "We could, and perhaps should, be winning games more convincingly. That is my only disappointment.

"At 2-0 up, we need to be managing the game better and need to be more clinical.

"We are now the only unbeaten side in the Championship and our points tally is brilliant."

Rotherham United manager Steve Evans: "What was critical from our point of view was when Matt Derbyshire missed an early header that would have put us in front.

"Chris Maguire also put a chance over just after the break so we did create things. I am not disappointed with the effort and commitment."