Brighton centre-back Shane Duffy goes into the book for a challenge on Jonjo Shelvey.

He didn't actually connect with the Newcastle midfielder but did lunge in slightly while looking to win a loose ball.

This is about 35 yards out and centrally placed. Shelvey fancies a strike on goal.

Brighton keeper David Stockdale is a lucky, lucky man.

He misplaces a pass and gifts the ball straight to Newcastle striker Yoan Gouffran on the edge of the box.

However, Goffran decides to shoot low straight away and Stockdale manages to block it with his feet.

A let-off for the Seagulls there.

A cross comes in, the ball breaks to Christian Atsu but the ball is blocked by Albion defenders Fikayo Tomori and Shane Duffy.

Brighton hack the ball clear.

Newcastle have enjoyed a good period of possession since those two Albion chances at the start of the second period.

They are spreading the play in an attempt to stretch the Albion defence and are remaining patient.

Ten minutes into the second half at Ewood Park and it's still goalless, still a game of few clear cut chances.

The same can be said about affairs at Villa Park. As soon as any goals go in, we'll let you know.

BBC Radio 5 live

Jonathan Pearce is with Southend boss Phil Brown in the BBC Radio 5 live commentary box at the Amex Stadium.

As you can imagine, Mr Pearce is rather enjoying himself so far! It's been a cracking game.

Click on the play icon to tune into commentary along with Final Score for your viewing pleasure.

Karl Darlow makes another good save, as Anthony Knockaert finds space in the Newcastle box and stings the palms of the keeper with a fierce effort.

It's been a very lively start to the second half.

Back down the other end, Newcastle striker Yoan Gouffran almost gets in on goal after some loose play from Brighton.

Albion keeper David Stockdale slams his clearance into the forward, and it squirms away from goal and the hosts clear.

Image source, Rex Features

Well, Newcastle have some defending to do straight from kick-off and, but for a goalline clearance, almost fall 2-0 behind.

Anthony Knockaert curls a ball into the box from wide and deep on the right, and Lewis Dunk gets there ahead of Mapgies keeper Karl Darlow.

The ball is heading goalwards but Paul Dummett is there to clear behind for a corner. He slices it quite close to his own bar though.

The visitors get the second half under way.

Will Rafael Benitez's half-time words inspire Newcastle to a comeback?

After a slow start and conceding first, Newcastle have been the better side.

The Magpies have had 57% possession, and nine shots to Brighton's six.

The all-important statistic is that Brighton are 1-0 up.

As it stands, Albion are heading four points clear of Newcastle at the top of the Championship table.

The second half will be upon us shortly. Will Seagulls supporters still be singing at full-time?

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Doncaster are taking a big stride towards the League Two title tonight, leading 2-0 at Cambridge, with second-placed Plymouth a goal down to visitors Notts County.

Grimsby's hopes of reaching the play-offs would receive a big boost if they can maintain their 1-0 lead over Colchester, while Wycombe's hopes of making the top seven are taking a blow as it stands, trailing 1-0 at Accrington. 

• Accrington 1-0 Wycombe
• Blackpool 0-1 Barnet
• Cambridge 0-2 Doncaster
• Cheltenham 0-0 Carlisle
• Crawley 0-0 Exeter
• Grimsby 1-0 Colchester
• Hartlepool 1-0 Crewe
• Plymouth 0-1 Notts County
• Portsmouth 0-0 Morecambe
• Stevenage 2-1 Leyton Orient
• Yeovil 0-0 Mansfield 

Phil Brown
Southend manager on BBC Radio 5 live

The standard of football by both these teams, both attacking and defensively has been world class.

I feel like giving them a standing ovation. It's different class.

Image source, Rex Features

MK Dons were back in front at Bradford through George Williams' goal, but Charlie Wyke has made it 2-2 at Valley Parade at the break.

Bury have doubled their lead over bottom side Coventry, while Oldham are up to 19th as it stands as they lead 1-0 at Northampton.

Charlton have turned the game around at Shrewsbury, where having trailed 1-0, they take a 2-1 lead into the break.

There's still 15 minutes left to play in the later kick-off at Bolton, where the hosts lead Bristol Rovers 1-0.

• Bradford 2-2 MK Dons
• Bury 2-0 Coventry
• Millwall 0-0 Peterborough
• Northampton 0-1 Oldham
• Rochdale P-P Port Vale
• Scunthorpe 0-0 Wimbledon
• Shrewsbury 1-2 Charlton
• Swindon 0-1 Gillingham
• Walsall P-P Chesterfield
• Bolton 1-0 Bristol Rovers (20:00 GMT)

It's also goalless at Ewood Park - probably not that surprising with two out-of-form teams scrabbling for points.

Blackburn have been on top, Sam Gallagher and Marvin Emnes both missing decent chances for the hosts.

Derby, winless in five, are seeing their play-off chances slipping away quickly.

Image source, Rex Features

That's the final action of a thrilling first half.

Glenn Murray's penalty in the 14th minute is what separates the sides at the break. As for the penalty decision... it looked a bit soft.

Murray was caught in a Ciaran Clark and Jamaal Lascelles sandwich and went down, allowing referee Robert Madley to award the spot-kick.

Newcastle have had the better chances since then and are a bit unlucky to be trailing at half-time.

Jonathan Kodjia's missed penalty was the standout moment of the first half at Villa Park, where it's still goalless between Aston Villa and Bristol City at half-time.

There were a few boos from the home fans as the whistle blew.

Right at the end of injury time, David Stockdale makes another save, this time denying Christian Atsu.

Again a ball in from the right wing causes problems and Atsu is free around the penalty spot.

The Ghanaian side-foots firmly towards goal, but it is straight at Stockdale, who fists the ball away.

Either side of the keeper and it would have been 1-1. That was a great chance.