Chris Martin earned Derby the advantage in their play-off semi-final as he continued his scoring streak against Brighton.

The striker scored one and forced an own goal for the second to help Derby come from behind and leave Brighton in trouble going into the second leg of their tie, to be played at Pride Park on Sunday.

Brighton got in front early on. But Martin scored from the penalty spot and then let rip from the edge of the box with an effort which cannoned back off the crossbar and into the goal off Tomasz Kuszczak’s back.

It was cruel on the Brighton goalkeeper, but no less than Martin deserved.

How Brighton must be sick of the sight of the 25-year-old, a former England Under 19 international who has scored twice against them in the league already this season.

The opening goal on 18 minutes would not have looked out of place in the Barclays Premier League in terms of quality.

Will Buckley flicked a backheel into Calderon’s path on the right flank and he darted into the box towards goal.

The right back got to the line before cutting the ball back to Jesse Lingard, on loan from Manchester United.

His first effort was blocked by Jake Buxton — but he made no mistake by angling his second shot past Lee Grant.

Brighton boss Oscar Garcia was urging his men on, arms flailing. But 10 minutes after Lingard scored, they were rocked by a Derby equaliser from the penalty spot.

Craig Forsyth exchanged a one-two with Chris Martin and there was no doubt it was a valid penalty when Matthew Upson scythed him down.

Martin scored into the bottom righthand corner, his third goal in three games against Brighton this season and 24th of the campaign — putting him far in front as Derby’s top scorer.

And the striker came back to haunt Brighton yet again in first-half stoppage time.

It will go down as an own goal by Tomasz Kuszczak, but the mistake was forced by Martin. He struck a first-time effort from the edge of the box that thumped off the crossbar, then off the back of Brighton’s goalkeeper before going over the line.

Derby had Grant to thank for keeping their advantage with an unbelievable double save in the 81st minute.

First Lingard’s well-hit effort from 20 yards was swerving and he did well to push it out wide to the left.

Stephen Ward was out on the flank to pick the ball up and dribble to the corner of the box before sending the ball dipping over Grant, who was at full stretch to tip it over the bar.

—Daily Mail