Malick Yalcouye's second-half header secured a narrow 1-0 win for Brighton at Getafe as Fabian Hurzeler's side moved into the top eight of the Conference League.
The Ivory Coast midfielder was one of five changes head coach Hurzeler made from the 1-0 win at Manchester City last time out and rewarded that show of faith by breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute.
Tension had been rising for the Premier League side after Jaouen Hadjam had struck the woodwork twice earlier in the game until Costinha cushioned his header back across the face of goal for Yalcouye to head home from close range.
Substitute Ibrahim Osman's chance to double the lead was missed from close range but ultimately it did not cost Brighton on the evening, as they got back to winning ways in Europe following a frustrating 0-0 draw at Jablonec last time out.
Victory moves them into fifth in the standings with three league-phase games left. They remain unbeaten in their three fixtures so far.
31: SAVE! Bart Verbruggen makes a big save to keep Ivan Azon's shot at the near post.
38: OFF THE POST! Hadjam races through on goal and squeezes the ball under the legs of Soria but it hits the post.
52: OFF THE BAR! Hadjam has time and space in the box but curls his shot onto the top of the crossbar.
64: GOAL! Yalcouye breaks the deadlock after nestling header into the back of the net.
79: BIG MISS! Ibrahim Osman skews his shot from close range wide of the target and misses big chance to double the lead.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler speaking to TNT Sports:
"It was what we expected. The games in the Conference League are different; you have to beat the low block and you have to be patient.
"We didn't play our best game; we had moments where we were lazy. But we kept a clean sheet and scored a goal. We deserved to win this game.
"It is always important to find solutions. I have to give praise to my team.
"My players did it today, not at the highest level, but we had to win it."
