Albion seemed to be running out of ideas in a scrappy game at Molineux when the Dutchman rose to meet Maxim De Cuyper’s inviting cross to level on the 86th minute.
The hosts – who are still yet to win a league match this season – were ahead since the 21st minute after Marshall Munetsi’s powerful strike, which went down as an unfortunate Bart Verbruggen own-goal.
After Danny Welbeck’s header was only half-cleared, Munetsi caught it sweetly on the volley. Verbruggen pushed it onto the cross bar but it rebounded back off him and into his own net.
Brighton were rocked by the goal and Wolves, buoyed on by their desperate fans, could have been 3-0 ahead on another day.
Jhon Arias missed a glaring chance and Jørgen Strand Larsen struck the post – which gave those inside the stadium the feeling an equaliser was inevitable.
Georginio – who replaced Carlos Baleba at half-time for the Seagulls – was lively, but the team looked short of inspiration in attack with time running out.
It was another sub, De Cuyper, who worked some magic with a fine cross and Van Hecke was in the perfect place to plant his header home.
In the end, both teams had to settle for a point. Wolves would probably have seen that as a good result if you offered them it this morning, but they will know this was an opportunity missed against a below-par Brighton.
Scroll down and click through to see how we rated the Brighton players:
9. Diego Gómez – 5
Also struggled to make an impact. Tame shot on goal as Albion chased an equaliser. Such an inviting cross which looked destined to be poked in by Minteh but a defender got a vital touch. Photo: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
10. Brajan Gruda – 6
Worked hard but didn’t quite get the rub of the green. I saw a few people question why he was one of the first to be replaced. Photo: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
11. Yankuba Minteh – 5
He’s had a brilliant season so far but was wasteful today. Best moment was a lovely cross for Georginio’s chance. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
12. Danny Welbeck – 4
After his heroics at Stamford Bridge, this was an afternoon to forget for the veteran. He offered very little and he couldn't bring the ball under control. He will want that defensive header back for the first goal – it was pretty tame. Booked for foul on Hwang Hee-Chan. Photo: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images