Leeds almost made a dream start when Joe Gelhardt’s effort following a corner was inadvertently blocked on the goal-line by the face of his skipper Liam Cooper.
But Brighton wasted little time in showing their intentions as they close in on their highest-ever finish in English football by creating two big chances in quick succession.
Brighton took a 21st-minute lead as Danny Welbeck raced on to Yves Bissouma’s pass, comfortably side-stepped Diego Llorente’s challenge and dinked an excellent finish beyond goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Leeds improved after going behind, but trailed 1-0 at half-time to Brighton, with the visitors indebted to a brilliant save from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who kept out Klich’s goalbound shot in the 42nd minute.
With time running out, the home fans sensed it was not to be their day and a section turned on the club’s hierarchy.
A chorus of “Sack the board” rang out as Welbeck missed a golden chance to seal victory for the Seagulls in the closing stages by heading Leandro Trossard’s cross wide.
But in the second minute of added time, Joe Gelhardt evaded several challenges in Brighton’s box and crossed to the far post where Pascal Struijk rose to head home a vital equaliser.
Logan MacLeod was our man at Elland Road today and here’s how he rated Graham Potter’s Brighton players in their last away match of the season.
9. Pascal Gross -
Part of an impressive Brighton midfield performance, especially in the first half. Broke the lines a few times and was a threat. Had a good chance saved by Meslier. 6/10 Photo: George Wood
10. Alexis Mac Allister -
Similar to Trossard and Gross, he broke the lines well, wriggled in and out of tight spaces nicely, linked up play, got in the box and had a few good chances. 7/10 Photo: OLI SCARFF
11. Danny Welbeck
Everything you want in a lone striker. Held the ball up well, brought others into play, made clever runs in behind. Took his goal brilliantly. Missed a golden opportunity at the end which would have killed the game off. 7/10 Photo: OLI SCARFF
12. Adam Webster -
Came on for March which saw a formation change from 3-4-2-1 to 4-3-3. Good sliding block to deny Harrison from inside the box. 6/10 Photo: Mike Hewitt