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:
13. Georginio Rutter – 7
On at half-time and straight into the action, forcing a Santiago Bueno into a yellow card and winning his team a free-kick. Really clever attempt with first-time finish but denied by superb Johnston save. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
14. Stefanos Tzimas – 7
Credited with the assist for the goal after he leapt for De Cuyper's cross, alongside Van Hecke, and got the first touch. Hopefully we will see more of him in an Albion shirt. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
15. James Milner - 7
Steadied the ship. A good decision to bring the grandmaster on. Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
16. Maxim De Cuyper – 8
Lively off the bench. Floated a free-kick which forced Johnstone to tip the ball over for a corner. Inch-perfect cross for the equaliser. He also had an impact off the bench last weekend with a goal at Stamford Bridge. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images