Hosts still rooted to bottom after Van Hecke's late equaliser

VITOR Pereira was red-carded after a moment of madness as his side were denied a much-needed victory by Jan Paul Van Hecke’s late leveller.

Wolves ' boss found himself in hot water as his side looked like they had kickstarted their season into life at the seventh attempt - only to be denied at the death.

6 Jan Paul van Hecke headed in Brighton's equaliser

6 Marshall Munetsi's strike went in off Bart Verbruggen

The Portuguese was sent to the stands midway through the opening half after booting the ball into a small dug-out that housed the fourth official.

Referee Jarred Gillett had little option but to brandish the red card - one that mirrored the colour on Pereira’s face - before traipsing dejectedly down the tunnel at Molineux

He may not even have seen the opening goal - which is a shame because he would have enjoyed it after a miserable half-dozen winless games which has seen Wolves serve up their worst start in their history.

It came via a thunderous Marshall Munetsi volley that was palmed onto the crossbar by Seagulls’ keeper Bart Verbruggen before hitting the Dutchman on the back and rolling over the goalline.

The hosts then battened down the hatches as they looked to protect the points - only to suffer a late bodyblow when the blond-haired visitors’ defender nodded home an equaliser four minutes from time.

But the key talking point was the bizarre episode involving their amiable Portuguese chief.

His ire was sparked when Carlos Baleba laid a hand on Joao Gomes’s shoulder, turning the Brazilian around in midfield as he shielded the ball.

It ran free and was picked up by the Seagulls who powered forward. The attack eventually came to nothing but it didn’t douse the fire in the belly of Wolves’ boss.

6 Wolves' opener went down as an own goal

6 Van Hecke rose highest to head Brighton level

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He took out his frustration on a ball that was lying close by.

It was one of those propped up on a piece of plastic as part of the multi-ball system which pepper the perimeter of the pitch.

It was lying enticingly in front of the small dug-out that houses the fourth official and other match delegates.

Unfortunately for him, his aim couldn’t have been any better. His kick slammed into one of them.

Pereira apologised immediately but at the next break in play - which eventually brought about the opening goal - the home boss was sent to the stands.

It’s unlikely he saw Munetsi’s strike as it came from the resultant free-kick.

That goal acted as a lifeline for the hosts who weren’t seriously threatened until Sam Johnstone pulled off a remarkable one-handed stop just before the hour.

Yankuba Minteh looked Brighton ’s most potent weapon all afternoon and it was from his left-wing cross that Wolves keeper earned his corn.

It was met on the half-volley by half-time substitute Georginio Rutter but the England international threw up his arm and diverted the effort over the bar.

Wolves still posed a threat with Jorgen Strand Larsen slamming a shot into the foot of the post following a breakaway.

But they were made to pay when they switched off at a corner.

Minteh took it short and the subsequent cross was met by Van Hecke as he thundered a header past Johnstone.

6 Vitor Pereira is still searching for a first league win of the season