Brighton & Hove Albion have failed in their bid to go to of the Premier League for the first time, though they salvaged a 1-1 draw at arch-rivals Crystal Palace with their equaliser virtually the last kick of the game.
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Victory would have lifted Brighton to the summit of England's top flight for the first time in their 120-year history but they were seconds away from defeat after Palace had gone ahead with a Wilfried Zaha penalty on the stroke of halftime - after Conor Gallagher was fouled in the box by Leandro Trossard.
With Palace's fans at a rocking Selhurst Park already celebrating in stoppage time, a clearance by home goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was volleyed back into the path of Neal Maupay who finished with a deft lob.
The goal five minutes into time added on sparked wild scenes among the travelling faithful.
Referee Marriner blew for fulltime straight after the restart with Palace's James McArthur and Brighton goalkeeper Sanchez squaring off while Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk was given a volley of abuse by the home fans in the Holmesdale Stand as he left the pitch.
The finale produced ugly scenes but in the end both teams were left to reflect on what might have been with the visitors remaining in sixth place, a point off leaders Liverpool, while Palace, under Patrick Vieira, are 15th.
with PA
Australian Associated Press