Six Goal Thriller Against Leeds

Albion's goalscorer Craig Mackail-Smith

Albion 3 - Leeds 3: Amex, Friday 23rd September

Albion stormed back from 0-2 down in an exciting six goal thriller at the Amex tonight. On a night when many Albion fans were 'going green' to show support for Plymouth Argyle's plight at the tail end of League Two Brighton took to the pitch in confident mood to try and reclaim Championship top spot. Manager Gus Poyet made several team changes in what was Albion's second match in 48 hours, back in came Painter, Lua Lua, Dunk and Dicker.

However it proved to be another difficult start for Brighton as Leeds took an early lead through Andrew Keogh in the 18th minute. Things got even worse when Leeds scored a second some seven minutes later through McCormack who shot from 25 yards to beat Albion keeper Casper Ankergren. At 0-2 down by half time it looked like Albion had a mountain to climb.

Yet again Gus Poyet's half time team talk brought instant results. Craig Mackail-Smith struck early into the second period with a well taken goal after turning his defender. From that point on it was all Albion as they chased for an equaliser. They were rewarded for their hard work when Lua Lua's through ball to Mackail-Smith resulted in the striker being fouled in the box and referee Lee Probert duly awarded a penalty to Brighton. Up stepped Barnes to slam in his second penalty goal of the week. The Brighton players and their fans were really beginning to believe that this was a game that they could win and in the 85th minute their dreams were realised as Mackail-Smith scored his second goal of the evening after an inch perfect pass from Barnes to send the Seagull fans into raptures.

However there was to be a late, late twist in the tale as Albion's keeper inexplicably kicked a long ball up field rather than pass it out to one of his defenders. That mistake came back to haunt Albion as the ball came straight back towards the Albion defence and McCormack scored his second of the night to see Leeds take a share of the spoils in the second minute of injury time. A thrilling encounter but two points dropped is probably how Albion and their fans will see this result.

Tuesday night's upcoming encounter with arch rivals Crystal Palace is next up and probably the Albion fan's most eagerly anticipated fixture of the season. It promisies to be a real corker with bundles of atmosphere if recent games are anything to go by.

A full match report of Albion vs Leeds can be read here on the official Seagulls website.