The Whites were beaten 2-0 in the south coast, with goals from Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck enough to ensure that the hosts picked up a valuable win.
The result leaves Marcelo Bielsa’s men 11th in the table with just four games left to play, and could represent a significant dent in their hopes of a top-half finish.
Speaking after the game, the Argentine coach was quick to deliver a blunt assessment of where his side came up short against the Seagulls.
He said: "We didn't play well.
"The victory for the opponent was fair. We created very little danger and it was difficult for us to recover the ball. The game was hard with the height of their centre-backs. We couldn't avoid them initiating the play, nor could we overcome them trying to get in behind.
"In the middle sector of the pitch we were trying to find variety to get in behind them.
"Yes, there was very few [chances], that's true. It wasn't because [Patrick Bamford] was isolated. It was because the ball couldn't reach the final third. I pay more attention to the construction of our offensive game."
Next up for Leeds is a clash against Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's early kick-off.
Spurs beat Sheffield United 4-0 on Sunday evening.
We’ve gathered the best of today’s Premier League transfer rumours involving Leeds United and the rest of their top flight rivals below...

. A general view ofthe stadium is seen during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Southampton at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on February 23, 2021. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Elland Road. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: LAURENCE GRIFFITHS

. Clarets keen on Worrall
Burnley, West Ham, and Norwich City are all keen on signing Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall. (The Sun) (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Photo: Laurence Griffiths

1. Clarets keen on Worrall
Burnley, West Ham, and Norwich City are all keen on signing Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall. (The Sun) (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Photo: Laurence Griffiths

2. Blessin compensation revealed
Sheffield United would have to pay £1.7 million in compensation if they made a move to bring in KV Oostende manager Alexander Blessin. (The Sun) (Photo by KRISTOF VAN ACCOM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: KRISTOF VAN ACCOM

3. Clarets weigh up Ramsdale move
Burnley could make a move for Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale if they sell Nick Pope in the summer transfer window. (The Sun) (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Photo: Justin Setterfield

4. Tagliafico interest emphasised
Leeds United's interest in Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico is ‘more serious than everyone assumed’. (De Telegraaf) (Photo by STEFAN WERMUTH/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: STEFAN WERMUTH

5. Kent speaks out on Rangers future
Ryan Kent has spoken out on his future at Rangers amid reported interest from Leeds United. He said: "It's nice to be linked with other football clubs, the big clubs, but you've got to understand the duty of where you're at and as long as I'm at Rangers I'll always give 100 per cent to the club." (Sky Sports) (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Photo: Ian MacNicol

6. Bruce wants Abraham
Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has now directly asked to be kept informed about the future of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham. (Chronicle) (Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool