Ross McCormack's stoppage time equaliser, his ninth goal of the season rescued a point for Leeds but really they should have been taking all three home after squandering a 2-0 lead.

Simon Grayson shuffled his pack slightly, Danny Pugh coming in and Becchio was the surprise change dropping to the bench.

Both sides suffered midweek Carling Cup heartbreak, however it was arguably Brighton feeling the most aggrieved having to play again just 48 hours after Liverpool left their spanking new AMEX stadium with the win.

Former Leeds keeper Casper Ankegren had criticised the authorities decision to make the Seaqulls play three times in six-days and Leeds appeared to capitalise on the previously invincible home sides fatique with two goals inside six minutes.

The first saw Andy Keogh finally net his first strike in Leeds colours. The on-loan Irishman turned home a rebound from Adam Clayton's shot after fine work down the left flank from Aidy White on 19 minutes.

Leeds then doubled their lead on 25, Ross McCormack with a left-foot wonder strike from 25 yarsds which fizzed past Ankegren into the bottom corner, leaving the Leeds fans enjoying their first visit to the long-awaited new Seagull's stadium.

Questions have been asked about Leeds' defensive abilities seemingly since Grayson's reign began nearly three years ago. The issue of mental toughness is another concern being thrown at his squad, particularly their ability to hold on to and build on leads they have taken this season.

Brighton took just two minutes to pull one back after the re-start. Costly signing Craig Mackail-Smith latched on to Barnes's wonderful ball and left the Leeds defence all at sea.

The dreaded inevitable equaliser came on 60 minutes when Bromby was adjudged to have hacked down Mackail-Smith in the box and Barnes, scorer of a spot-kick in midweek against Liverpool, beat Lonergan.

From then on, it looked like if there was to be a winner it would be the hosts and on 82 minutes, Gus Poyet looked like to have put one over on the club where he was once the Assistant to Dennis Wise when again Mackail-Smith proved too much for the wavering Leeds defence to cope.

Whilst there is no question we have a dodgy defence and cannot put games to bed, we do at least have a resiliant spirit without which we would have not taken seven points from our last three games. Deep into time-added on Lonergan's long-punt found Howson, who dragged the ball back for McCormack to cement his rising stock as a modern-day Leeds legend and finish past Ankegren.

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