Michael Keane's injury-time header earned SKY Bet Championship leaders Burnley a point, as they twice hit back to deny Brighton in the early kick-off televised match.
This was hardly the story though. The game kicked off in front of the Amex Community Stadium's largest ever crowd. The first twenty minutes were fairly even with Burnley trying hard to dampen the enthusiam of a raucous capacity home crowd rooting for the Seagulls.
On the half hour mark, a second Seagull's corner taken in quick succession saw Brighton take the lead with a scruffy goal at the far post. Dave Jones inadvertently helped the ball across the penalty box for the unmarked Stephens to volley home past a helpless Heaton.
Not to be denied, Burnley replied just four minutes later. All sorts of sheningans were going on in the penalty box when Jones crossed from another corner. Stephen Ward was wrestled to the ground but referee Pawson allowed play to continue and the predatory Gray notched his 23rd of the season from close range to make it 1-1.
Photo source: Burnley Football Club.
The Seagulls however came roaring back to take a deserved first half lead on 43 minutes. The former Leicester City wide man Anthony Knockaert who was giving Stephen Ward a torrid afternoon, bobbed and weaved in the penalty box and his strike flew past England goalkeeping candidate Tom Heaton.
The shot took at least three deflections before finding its way into the back of the Burnley net. The Seagulls began the second half very much on the front foot and dominated the early stages of play.
Brighton contrived to miss several golden chances and as Burnley driven on by the relentless Barton grew into the game, Michael Keane scored a goal from yet another Burnley set piece. Goal line technology remains an exclusive tool for the Barclays Premier League and despite the ball being over the line the goal was not given.
Burnley however are not top of the Championship for nothing. A 93rd minute corner floated in by the ex-West Ham United player Matty Taylor, was met by the forehead of Michael Keane and the ball was rammed into the back of the Seagulls net.
Burnley are now unbeaten in 16 games, their last reversal coming in a 3-0 defeat at Hull City. Who would bet against the Clarets on this form making an immediate return to English football's top flight, at the first time of asking? (TEC).