Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke was stretchered off in the late stages of Saturday's Premier League match against Brentford after a nasty clash of heads with Yunus Emre Konak. The Turkish midfielder was also forced off after the gruesome collision left both players requiring immediate medical attention from both clubs' staff.

There were more than 20 minutes of stoppage time at the end of Brentford's 4-2 victory against Brighton after multiple stoppages. But the longest delay came when there were just 45 seconds of the match remaining after Van Hecke and Konak collided. Both were challenging for the ball from Bart Verbruggen's goal kick, but crashed down to the ground in a heap after connecting with each other's skulls.

Van Hecke initially sat back up after the incident but medical staff laid him back down as a stretcher was called onto the pitch.

He required oxygen as part of his medical attention during the nine-minute stoppage, causing serious concern among the players around him.

Konak was up and walking while the Dutchman was receiving treatment but came off as a sixth concussion substitute, making way for Gustavo Nunes.

Brentford and Brighton fans inside the Gtech Community Stadium applauded in unison as Van Hecke was eventually carried down the tunnel.

Eiran Cashin entered the pitch to replace him, but the final whistle blew shortly after, marking a worrying conclusion to an entertaining affair.

Brentford moved two points behind Brighton by triumphing in the six-goal affair as Bryan Mbeumo played a starring role.

The Cameroon winger opened the scoring in the ninth minute before giving the hosts the lead again at the start of the second half, cancelling out Danny Welbeck's late equaliser.

Mbeumo then turned provider for his strike partner Yoane Wissa, and Brighton looked dead and buried three minutes later when Joao Pedro saw a straight red card for violent conduct.

Kaoru Mitoma offered the Seagulls a glimmer of hope to reduce the deficit to one goal with 10 minutes remaining.

However, Christian Norgaard headed the game out of doubt in stoppage time, moments before Van Hecke and Konak's collision.

Brentford don't have a match until May 1, when they travel to Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Brighton will have a chance to stop the rot when West Ham United visit the Amex Stadium next Saturday.

Fabian Hurzeler's side haven't won in six matches, which has ultimately proved costly in their hope of entering the race for European football.