Match ends, Derby County 2, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.
DerbyDerby County2BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion2
Chris Martin's late penalty earned promotion-chasing Derby a draw against unbeaten Championship leaders Brighton.
James Wilson flicked home his second goal in two starts to put the visitors ahead against the run of play, but Bradley Johnson's far-post header levelled matters by half-time.
Rajiv van La Parra's strike, after a swift counter-attack, looked to have secured victory for the Seagulls.
But Martin made it 2-2 after Gordon Greer fouled Johnny Russell.
Martin's coolly taken spot-kick denied Brighton a win, but they remain unbeaten in 20 league games this season and stay two points clear at the top of the table after Middlesbrough's goalless draw away at Birmingham City.
The fine run looked in doubt early on as Derby, who drop a place to fourth, could have been ahead inside a minute through a Tom Ince strike that was deflected wide.
It set the tone for a bright start by the hosts with Martin having a shot saved, and Jason Shackell seeing a header cleared off the line before Ince volleyed straight at goalkeeper David Stockdale.
Brighton were lively on the break and went in front when on-loan Manchester United striker Wilson slotted the ball in from Jamie Murphy's fine cross following good work by Inigo Calderon.
Derby, who themselves have only lost twice in the league, slowly recovered and Johnson's towering header from Jacob Butterfield's deep corner deservedly brought them level.
Both sides struggled to create clear chances after the interval, but Brighton's quality on the break was apparent again when Dutch substitute Van La Parra sent the ball past keeper Lee Grant after Johnson was dispossessed in midfield.
Martin almost levelled after a sloppy backpass before scoring his first goal in seven games when his 88th-minute penalty beat Stockdale.
Derby boss Paul Clement:
"We didn't deserve to lose the game, our start was very positive and then they produced a real moment of quality with a well taken goal against the run of play.
"A lot of credit goes to our players for not giving up, to keep going, and it was a cool finish from Chris (Martin) under real pressure. They had a difficult game to today and our players afterwards felt like it was a loss.
"We have a good record at home and that's the standards we are working towards but overall it's a hard fought point and I would have been really disappointed if we had lost that game."
Brighton boss Chris Hughton:
(On the late penalty) "I thought it was very harsh. Unless somebody shows me a different angle, from the one I've seen there's no doubt Gordon dives in because he has to but I don't see contact.
"The win would have meant a lot to us and we are disappointed but I think you have to give our players credit to come here against a team on such a good run with the quality they've got and I don't think anyone would have begrudged us the win."
Line-ups
Derby
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Grant
- 2Christie
- 6Keogh
- 14Shackell
- 37Warnock
- 18ButterfieldSubstituted forHendrickat 74'minutes
- 34ThorneSubstituted forBentat 80'minutes
- 15JohnsonBooked at 29mins
- 23Ince
- 9Martin
- 24WeimannSubstituted forRussellat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Hendrick
- 10Bent
- 11Russell
- 12Baird
- 16Pearce
- 32Shotton
- 35Mitchell
Brighton
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Stockdale
- 2Bruno
- 3Greer
- 5Dunk
- 14Calderon
- 20MarchSubstituted forvan La Parraat 27'minutes
- 6Stephens
- 7Kayal
- 15Murphy
- 21WilsonSubstituted forZamoraat 82'minutes
- 10HemedBooked at 32minsSubstituted forInceat 82'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Mäenpää
- 4Hünemeier
- 19Manu
- 24Ince
- 25Zamora
- 27van La Parra
- 28Chicksen
- Referee:
- Lee Mason
- Attendance:
- 30,537
Match Stats
Home TeamDerbyAway TeamBrighton
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Derby County 2, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.
Post update
Richard Keogh (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Jason Shackell.
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Foul by Tom Ince (Derby County).
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Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Hand ball by Bobby Zamora (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Foul by Cyrus Christie (Derby County).
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Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Derby County 2, Brighton and Hove Albion 2. Chris Martin (Derby County) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
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Penalty Derby County. Johnny Russell draws a foul in the penalty area.
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Penalty conceded by Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion) after a foul in the penalty area.
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Attempt missed. Jason Shackell (Derby County) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Johnny Russell with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Derby County. Conceded by David Stockdale.
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Attempt blocked. Tom Ince (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Chris Martin.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Rohan Ince replaces Tomer Hemed.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Bobby Zamora replaces James Wilson.
Post update
Corner, Derby County. Conceded by David Stockdale.
Post update
Attempt saved. Johnny Russell (Derby County) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Chris Martin.
