By Tim Hodges from the Amex Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion 3 Leeds United 3
The Albion agonisingly threw away a slender lead in the final minute of injury time after coming back from two down at half time.
The Seagulls started in unusually nervous fashion, as the returning Lewis Dunk renewed his partnership with Gordon Greer.
Leeds came straight at the Albion from the off and in the first ten minutes Adam Clayton had a good chance but shot wide. A little later Jonny Howson fed Robert Snodgrass, who miscued from close range.
After a scuffed clearance by Craig Noone, the ball ricocheted to White who pulled it back for Danny Pugh. His shot was blocked by Dunk but the ball feel to Andy Keogh, who placed it past Casper Ankergren and Inigo Calderon on the line, to put Leeds in front.
The Albion didn’t seem to have many answers, although Noone lofted a superb ball into the path of Craig Mackail-Smith who failed to connect with a header, with only the keeper to beat.
Almost immediately at the other end Keogh casually picked out Ross McCormack, who smashed it past Ankergren from fully 20 yards to put Leeds two up.
The Albion tried to rally, the ever industrious Liam Bridcutt, played in Kazenga LuaLua but he drove his effort square instead of at goal.
From a Noone corner Greer helped the ball on to Mackail-Smith in the six-yard box, but Andy Lonergan was there first.
Before the break Noone looked to have been hauled down by the Leeds keeper, but referee Lee Probert waved play on.
The Amex seemed to tighten with excitement as Vicente Rodriguez replaced Noone at the start of the second half.
His presence on the field is immense, though he played no part as Ashley Barnes intercepted a Leeds throw-in, rolled the ball towards Mackail-Smith and, with a super drag back and turn, left two Leeds defenders behind and side-footed the ball home to put the Albion back in the match.
Albion were now in the ascendancy as Bridcutt showed what a superb little player he is, breaking up whatever Leeds had to offer and always looking to get Albion going forward.
Vicente was forever demanding the ball and whenever he got it would show his strength in holding off, at times two or three players, finding an Albion shirt and gradually moving the Albion down the pitch.
It was again from a Leeds throw that the Albion intercepted. This time Marcos Painter won a header. The ball dropped to Vicente, who twisted and turned, eventually the ball landed by the feet of Mackail-Smith via LuaLua. Leigh Bromby clattered the Seagulls striker and the referee pointed to the spot.
Ashley Barnes once again smashed it home for 2-2.
Albion were now in control and aside from a couple of Leeds corners and counter attacks, were building from the back as they like to.
With ten minutes left Vicente lofted a superb ball which Calderon collected. He threaded the ball to Barnes who in turn crossed for Mackail-Smith to glance it with the outside of his foot, to put the Albion 3-2 up.
The Albion then tried hard to keep possession. Will Hoskins replaced LuaLua, but with one minute of the four added on, right at the end the Albion defence seemed to freeze as Howson ran at them. Ankergren came out to try an intercept but left his goal gaping, as McCormack blasted it home for 3-3 with hardly any time left.
Albion: Ankergren; Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Painter; LuaLua, Dicker, Bridcutt, Noone; Barnes, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Brezovan, Vincelot, Navarro, Vicente, Hoskins
Leeds: Lonergan; Lees, Bromby, O’Dea, White; Snodgrass, Howson, Clayton, Pugh; Keogh, McCormack. Subs: Rachubka, Kisnorbo, Vayrynen, Forssell, Becchio
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
