Inessa Kaagman's penalty enabled Brighton to inflict a major blow on Manchester United's Champions League ambitions with victory at People's Pension Stadium. The Dutch midfielder blasted home from the spot to secure the points as her side recovered from last week's 5-0 thrashing by Everton. It was United's third successive away defeat - which saw them slip behind Arsenal in the battle for third place and a European spot. The Seagulls, who tasted Women's Super League success against United for the first time, remain sixth, but now have a four-point cushion over seventh-placed Reading. Brighton began strongly, going in front when Kaagman thumped the 25th-minute spot-kick into the roof of the net after a foul in the box by United defender Maria Thorisdottir. The visitors responded well after falling behind and Millie Turner might have brought them level, heading Lucy Staniforth's free-kick narrowly over the bar. But Seagulls striker Rianna Jarrett almost made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time, bursting through only to be denied by Mary Earps. Although Casey Stoney's side controlled the bulk of possession after the break, they found their hosts' defence in defiant mood. United's clearest opportunity to salvage a point fell to Jess Sigsworth, who was denied by a superb diving stop from Megan Walsh. Katie Zelem headed wide late on as the visitors stepped up the pressure, but Brighton dug in and survived six minutes of added time to clinch victory. #InessaKaagman, #CaseyStoney, #LucyStaniforth #Brighton&HoveAlbionWomen #ManchesterUnitedWomen #WomenSuperLeague