Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny saved a 74th-minute penalty to deny Craig Mackail-Smith a hat-trick and Brighton a first win in seven league games.

Mackail-Smith opened the scoring from the spot after Leeds captain Lee Peltier brought down Will Buckley.

Bruno's foul on Luke Varney allowed El-Hadji Diouf to equalise with a penalty before Mackail-Smith made it 2-1.

Anglo-Scottish Mackail-Smith

Craig Mackail-Smith has represented England C as well as Scotland at full international level

Leeds came from behind again thanks to Luciano Becchio before Kenny's heroics after Sam Byram fouled Mackail-Smith.

It meant a mixed night for Mackail-Smith, who almost joined Leeds in the summer.

Despite taking his tally to eight league goals this season, the former Peterborough striker was ultimately left frustrated as Kenny produced an excellent save to keep out his penalty.

And the result leaves Brighton, who are without a Championship win since 22 September, having taken just four points from the last seven games.

They would almost certainly have been celebrating victory but for Kenny, the former Queens Park Rangers keeper, who also produced an outstanding full-stretch save in the fifth minute of stoppage time to deny Andrew Crofts.

Leeds are now without a win in four league games but manager Neil Warnock will probably be happy with his side's battling performance.

Mackail-Smith continued his impressive record of scoring every time he has played Leeds in senior football by making the breakthrough from the spot in the 16th minute after Peltier's clumsy tackle on the lively Buckley.

Leeds responded in the 37th minute after Bruno needlessly fouled Varney in the area, allowing Diouf to score his fifth goal of the campaign.

Mackail-Smith got his second two minutes after half-time when he fired in from Buckley's pull-back before Michael Brown's curling effort found the bottom corner via a deflection off substitute Becchio.

Mackail-Smith wasted a glorious chance for a hat-trick when he missed from the spot, Kenny holding on diving to his right.

Brighton manager Gus Poyet:

"He would say that [when told Warnock was certain Varney had been shoved for the penalty]. He is a hypocrite.

"He is on the list of hypocrites now. He's funny, Mr Warnock. Very funny. You cannot go one way only when it suits you."

Leeds manager Neil Warnock:

"Varney got pushed, he did not dive. Gus is not happy because he wants to win a game of football.

"The referee didn't get much wrong. He's done well. It was a quick game.

"This match shows what the Championship is all about. It was a superb point for us because we were pummelled in the first 20 minutes."

Continue reading the main story

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Brighton & Hove Albion

  • 29 Kuszczak
  • 02 Bruno
  • 03 Greer
  • 06 El-Abd
  • 28 Bridge
  • 04 Hammond (Crofts - 78' Booked )
  • 11 Orlandi (Dicker - 78' )
  • 26 Bridcutt Booked
  • 30 Buckley Booked
  • 09 Barnes (Dobbie - 82' )
  • 12 Mackail-Smith

Substitutes

  • 16 Ankergren
  • 05 Dunk
  • 14 Calderon
  • 08 Crofts
  • 18 Dicker
  • 21 David Lopez
  • 10 Dobbie

Leeds United

  • 01 Kenny
  • 02 Peltier
  • 04 Lees (Pugh - 41' Booked )
  • 05 Pearce
  • 08 Austin
  • 11 Varney (Becchio - 65' )
  • 14 White
  • 17 Brown Booked
  • 18 Tonge
  • 25 Byram
  • 21 Diouf (Norris - 80' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Ashdown
  • 07 Green
  • 16 Pugh
  • 19 Norris
  • 30 Hall
  • 10 Becchio
  • 20 Gray
Ref: Mason
Att: 26,402

Match Stats

Shots

16 6

On target

10 4

Corners

7 3

Fouls

15 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:39 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +4:44

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

90:00 +4:27

Shot by Will Buckley (Brighton) right-footed from left channel (30 yards), over the bar.

90:00 +4:00

Shot by Andrew Crofts (Brighton) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), brilliant save (parried) by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

90:00 +3:46

Attacking throw-in by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton).

90:00 +3:23

Attacking throw-in by Will Buckley (Brighton).

90:00 +2:31

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

90:00 +2:25

Goal kick taken short by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

90:00 +1:24

Free kick curled right-footed by Michael Tonge (Leeds) from left channel (30 yards), over the bar.

90:00 +1:24 Booking

Booking Andrew Crofts (Brighton) booked for unsporting behaviour.

90:00 +1:17

Foul by Andrew Crofts (Brighton) on Michael Brown (Leeds).

89:55

Attacking throw-in by Will Buckley (Brighton).

88:17

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Gary Dicker (Brighton) to near post, resulting in open play.

88:04

Shot by Gary Dicker (Brighton) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), blocked by Lee Peltier (Leeds).

87:31

Handball by Luciano Becchio (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Gordon Greer (Brighton) from own half, passed.

86:53

Foul by Gordon Greer (Brighton) on Luciano Becchio (Leeds). Free kick taken left-footed by Danny Pugh (Leeds) from left wing, resulting in open play.

86:38

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

86:19

Shot by Stephen Dobbie (Brighton) left-footed from right channel (30 yards), over the bar.

85:52

Handball by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton). Free kick taken right-footed by Patrick Kenny (Leeds) from own half, resulting in open play.

84:38

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

83:51

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Gary Dicker (Brighton) to near post, resulting in open play.

83:01

Free kick crossed right-footed by Stephen Dobbie (Brighton) from right wing, clearance by Luciano Becchio (Leeds).

83:01 Booking

Booking Danny Pugh (Leeds) booked for unsporting behaviour.

82:53

Foul by Danny Pugh (Leeds) on Will Buckley (Brighton).

82:15

Attacking throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

81:51 Substitution

Substitution Brighton substitution: Ashley Barnes replaced by Stephen Dobbie (tactical).

81:10

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

80:42

Header by Ashley Barnes (Brighton) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.

79:16

Free kick taken left-footed by Danny Pugh (Leeds) from left wing, resulting in open play.

79:16 Substitution

Substitution Leeds substitution: El-Hadji Diouf replaced by David Norris (tactical).

79:11

Foul by Gordon Greer (Brighton) on Luciano Becchio (Leeds).

78:19

Shot by Samuel Byram (Leeds) volleyed left-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

77:44

Attacking throw-in by Samuel Byram (Leeds).

77:09 Substitution

Substitution Brighton substitution: Dean Hammond replaced by Andrew Crofts (tactical).

77:01 Substitution

Substitution Brighton substitution: Andrea Orlandi replaced by Gary Dicker (tactical).

76:35

Attacking throw-in by Samuel Byram (Leeds).

74:58

Defending throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

65:11

The assist for the goal came from Michael Brown.

65:11 Goal scored

Goal - Luciano Becchio - Brighton 2 - 2 Leeds A goal is scored by Luciano Becchio from just outside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Brighton 2-2 Leeds.

74:16 Penalty

Power penalty taken right-footed by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) (bottom-left of goal), save (caught) by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

73:25

Foul by Samuel Byram (Leeds) on Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton).

72:43

Will Buckley (Brighton) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Patrick Kenny (Leeds) from own half, resulting in open play.

71:17

Shot by Dean Hammond (Brighton) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

70:48

Attacking throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

70:03

Foul by Wayne Bridge (Brighton) on Michael Brown (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Patrick Kenny (Leeds) from own half, resulting in open play.

69:29

Attacking throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

68:20

Defending throw-in by Samuel Byram (Leeds).

67:59

Goal kick taken long by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

65:11

Assist by Aidan White (Leeds) from left channel.

65:11 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Brown - Brighton 2 - 2 Leeds Goal by Michael Brown (Leeds) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left channel (20 yards).Brighton 2-2 Leeds.

64:42

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Michael Tonge (Leeds) to centre, save (caught) by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

64:17 Substitution

Substitution Leeds substitution: Luke Varney replaced by Luciano Becchio (tactical).

64:06 Booking

Booking Liam Bridcutt (Brighton) booked for unsporting behaviour.

63:40

Shot by Aidan White (Leeds) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Adam El-Abd (Brighton).

62:59

Header by El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

62:27

Shot by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

61:30

Attacking throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

60:05

Attacking throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

59:10

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) to near post, clearance by Luke Varney (Leeds).

57:16

Handball by Luke Varney (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Liam Bridcutt (Brighton) from own half, passed.

56:59

Goal kick taken short by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

55:46

Goal kick taken long by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

54:28

Defending throw-in by Samuel Byram (Leeds).

54:08

Attacking throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

53:51

Attacking throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

53:24

Defending throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

52:58

Defending throw-in by Danny Pugh (Leeds).

52:47

Attacking throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

51:39

Foul by Bruno Saltor (Brighton) on Luke Varney (Leeds). Free kick taken left-footed by Danny Pugh (Leeds) from left wing, resulting in open play.

51:22

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

51:09

Shot by Bruno Saltor (Brighton) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), over the bar.

49:47

Foul by Michael Brown (Leeds) on Will Buckley (Brighton). Free kick taken left-footed by Liam Bridcutt (Brighton) from left channel, passed.

49:05

Foul by Rodolph Austin (Leeds) on Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton). Free kick taken right-footed by Dean Hammond (Brighton) from left channel, passed.

48:17

Defending throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

47:16

Assist (pass) by Will Buckley (Brighton) from right side of penalty area.

47:16 Goal scored

Goal - Craig Mackail-Smith - Brighton 2 - 1 Leeds Goal by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Brighton 2-1 Leeds.

47:04

Attacking throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

45:33

Foul by Will Buckley (Brighton) on El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds). Free kick crossed right-footed by Michael Tonge (Leeds) from left wing, clearance by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

45:17

Attacking throw-in by Danny Pugh (Leeds).

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +3:08 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +3:00

Defending throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

45:00 +2:23

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

45:00 +2:04

Defending throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

45:00 +0:34

Goal kick taken long by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

44:29

Foul by Rodolph Austin (Leeds) on Will Buckley (Brighton). Free kick taken right-footed by Bruno Saltor (Brighton) from own half, resulting in open play.

44:04

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) to far post, header by Dean Hammond (Brighton) from right side of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

43:48

Shot by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Lee Peltier (Leeds).

43:27

Attacking throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

43:08

Foul by Jason Pearce (Leeds) on Will Buckley (Brighton). Free kick taken left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) from right channel, passed.

42:46

Foul by Danny Pugh (Leeds) on Will Buckley (Brighton). Free kick taken right-footed by Dean Hammond (Brighton) from own half, passed.

42:01

Cross by El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds), clearance by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

41:04

Foul by Ashley Barnes (Brighton) on Samuel Byram (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Patrick Kenny (Leeds) from own half, resulting in open play.

40:45

Attacking throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

40:19 Substitution

Substitution Leeds substitution: Tom Lees replaced by Danny Pugh (injury).

36:12

Assist by Luke Varney (Leeds) from left side of penalty area.

36:12 Goal scored

Goal - El-Hadji Diouf - Brighton 1 - 1 Leeds Power penalty taken right-footed by El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds) (bottom-left of goal), scored.Brighton 1-1 Leeds.

34:49

Foul by Bruno Saltor (Brighton) on Luke Varney (Leeds).

34:06

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds) to near post, clearance by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

33:21

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds) to centre, clearance by Adam El-Abd (Brighton).

33:05

Attacking throw-in by Ashley Barnes (Brighton).

30:07

Defending throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

29:51

Goal kick taken long by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

29:41

Cross by Aidan White (Leeds), resulting in ball out of play.

28:01

Foul by Dean Hammond (Brighton) on Samuel Byram (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Michael Brown (Leeds) from right wing, resulting in open play.

27:22

Foul by Ashley Barnes (Brighton) on Rodolph Austin (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Michael Brown (Leeds) from right channel, passed.

25:53

Foul by Luke Varney (Leeds) on Adam El-Abd (Brighton). Free kick taken right-footed by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton) from own half, resulting in open play.

25:16

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

24:51

Shot by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) left-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar.

23:52

Foul by Liam Bridcutt (Brighton) on El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds). Free kick crossed right-footed by El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds) from left channel, resulting in open play.

23:34

Cross by Dean Hammond (Brighton), header by Ashley Barnes (Brighton) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

22:52

Attacking throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

22:20

Attacking throw-in by Lee Peltier (Leeds).

20:35

Foul by Michael Brown (Leeds) on Andrea Orlandi (Brighton). Free kick crossed left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) from left wing, foul by Adam El-Abd (Brighton) on Tom Lees (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Patrick Kenny (Leeds) from own half, resulting in open play.

18:55

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) to near post, resulting in open play.

18:35

Shot by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), blocked by Tom Lees (Leeds).

17:14

Goal kick taken long by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

16:33

Foul by Ashley Barnes (Brighton) on Aidan White (Leeds). Free kick taken right-footed by Tom Lees (Leeds) from own half, resulting in open play.

16:27

Defending throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

15:54

Defending throw-in by Bruno Saltor (Brighton).

15:05

Assist by Will Buckley (Brighton) from right side of penalty area.

15:05 Goal scored

Goal - Craig Mackail-Smith - Brighton 1 - 0 Leeds Power penalty taken right-footed by Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) (high centre of goal), scored.Brighton 1-0 Leeds.

14:11

Foul by Lee Peltier (Leeds) on Will Buckley (Brighton).

12:13

Cross by Samuel Byram (Leeds), save (caught) by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

11:42

Attacking throw-in by Samuel Byram (Leeds).

11:12

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) to centre, clearance by Jason Pearce (Leeds).

9:36

Free kick taken left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) from left channel (25 yards), hit wall.

9:36 Booking

Booking Michael Brown (Leeds) booked for unsporting behaviour.

9:30

Foul by Michael Brown (Leeds) on Andrea Orlandi (Brighton).

8:56

Defending throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

8:34

Attacking throw-in by Samuel Byram (Leeds).

8:01

Attacking throw-in by Lee Peltier (Leeds).

6:59

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

6:36

Cross by Wayne Bridge (Brighton), shot by Ashley Barnes (Brighton) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.

5:58

Foul by Michael Brown (Leeds) on Liam Bridcutt (Brighton). Free kick taken right-footed by Gordon Greer (Brighton) from own half, passed.

5:10

Foul by Liam Bridcutt (Brighton) on El-Hadji Diouf (Leeds). Free kick taken left-footed by Jason Pearce (Leeds) from own half, resulting in open play.

4:29

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Andrea Orlandi (Brighton) to far post, resulting in open play.

3:56

Defending throw-in by Adam El-Abd (Brighton).

3:44

Attacking throw-in by Wayne Bridge (Brighton).

3:10

Goal kick taken long by Patrick Kenny (Leeds).

2:24

Goal kick taken long by Tomasz Kuszczak (Brighton).

2:08

Weak shot by Rodolph Austin (Leeds) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right.

1:15

Free kick taken right-footed by Michael Tonge (Leeds) from left channel, passed.

1:15 Booking

Booking Will Buckley (Brighton) booked for unsporting behaviour.

0:57

Foul by Will Buckley (Brighton) on Michael Brown (Leeds).

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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