BBC 23/9/11
Brighton 3 Leeds 3
Ross McCormack snatched an equaliser deep into stoppage time as Leeds stopped Brighton from returning to the top of the Championship table.
Leeds raced into a two-goal half-time lead
courtesy of strikes from Andy Keogh and McCormack.
Craig Mackail-Smith reduced the arrears then turned provider, winning the penalty which Ashley Barnes scored.
Barnes then supplied Mackail-Smith, who slotted home, but McCormack grabbed a point for Leeds in the final seconds.
Brighton manager Gus Poyet made five changes to the team that lost against Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night but despite the fresh faces, they looked weary in the opening exchanges.
Leeds were soon ahead through Keogh.
The striker found Adam Clayton on the edge of the area and when the midfielder's shot was blocked Keogh gathered the loose ball to slot home his first Leeds goal.
Six minutes later McCormack turned to unleash a superb left-foot drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Brighton thundered out of the blocks after the break and less than two minutes after half-time Mackail-Smith collected Barnes' pass from the right to coolly slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Leeds were now the team under pressure and Leigh Bromby was the first man to buckle, inexplicably bringing down Mackail-Smith in the box with an hour played.
Barnes netted from the spot in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool and he was again on hand to complete the formalities.
But the game was far from over.
First Inigo Calderon and Barnes combined effectively down the Leeds left to leave Mackail-Smith with a simple finish.
And with barely a minute remaining of stoppage time the impressive McCormack slammed home his ninth of the season from Jonathan Howson's cutback.
Leeds boss Simon Grayson vented his frustration that his side could not see the game out from being in a commanding position.
He said: "We can't keep conceding goals and my players must understand it.
"We shouldn't be delighted at getting a point right at the death from the situation that we were in."
Opposition manager Gus Poyet had mixed emotions after the game.
He told BBC Sussex: "It was a great game of football to watch and great for supporters, but not a good game for managers.
"There were things we needed to put right. It was important to go back in the second half and score early. Things we normally do we did better, until the 92nd minute.
"It's a mix of emotions. We were practically out of the game and then nearly won it. Then we conceded not a very good goal at the end."
leedsunited.com 22/9/11
UNITED SEAL PUGH RETURN
Leeds United have signed Stoke City utility man Danny Pugh on loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
The 28-year-old returns to the club after a five-year spell that took in Preston North End and Premier League Stoke.
Danny, who was the club's first signing following our relegation from the Premier League in 2004, made 57 appearances for Leeds between 2004 and 2006, scoring six goals.
Danny was a regular during his first season, but found appearances restricted in 2005/06 and he moved to Preston that summer before joining Stoke two years later, who he helped reach the Premier League.
Danny, who has made 213 career appearances, can play anywhere on the left side of the park and has also played in central midfield.
"We're delighted to bring Danny to the football club," said United boss Simon Grayson.
"He is a versatile player and he is an experienced player, who has played in both the Premier League and the Europa League with Stoke.
"He also knows the Championship well and he knows this club very well. Two or three other clubs were in for him, but he jumped at the chance to come here.
"This was a deal we almost did on deadline day with some of the money that is available, but Tony wanted to keep him at Stoke a while longer, so we've brought him in on loan in the first instance and will make it permanent in January."
Brighton 3 Leeds 3
Ross McCormack snatched an equaliser deep into stoppage time as Leeds stopped Brighton from returning to the top of the Championship table.
Leeds raced into a two-goal half-time lead
courtesy of strikes from Andy Keogh and McCormack.Craig Mackail-Smith reduced the arrears then turned provider, winning the penalty which Ashley Barnes scored.
Barnes then supplied Mackail-Smith, who slotted home, but McCormack grabbed a point for Leeds in the final seconds.
Brighton manager Gus Poyet made five changes to the team that lost against Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night but despite the fresh faces, they looked weary in the opening exchanges.
Leeds were soon ahead through Keogh.
The striker found Adam Clayton on the edge of the area and when the midfielder's shot was blocked Keogh gathered the loose ball to slot home his first Leeds goal.
Six minutes later McCormack turned to unleash a superb left-foot drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Brighton thundered out of the blocks after the break and less than two minutes after half-time Mackail-Smith collected Barnes' pass from the right to coolly slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Leeds were now the team under pressure and Leigh Bromby was the first man to buckle, inexplicably bringing down Mackail-Smith in the box with an hour played.
Barnes netted from the spot in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool and he was again on hand to complete the formalities.
But the game was far from over.
First Inigo Calderon and Barnes combined effectively down the Leeds left to leave Mackail-Smith with a simple finish.
And with barely a minute remaining of stoppage time the impressive McCormack slammed home his ninth of the season from Jonathan Howson's cutback.
Leeds boss Simon Grayson vented his frustration that his side could not see the game out from being in a commanding position.
He said: "We can't keep conceding goals and my players must understand it.
"We shouldn't be delighted at getting a point right at the death from the situation that we were in."
Opposition manager Gus Poyet had mixed emotions after the game.
He told BBC Sussex: "It was a great game of football to watch and great for supporters, but not a good game for managers.
"There were things we needed to put right. It was important to go back in the second half and score early. Things we normally do we did better, until the 92nd minute.
"It's a mix of emotions. We were practically out of the game and then nearly won it. Then we conceded not a very good goal at the end."
leedsunited.com 22/9/11
UNITED SEAL PUGH RETURN
Leeds United have signed Stoke City utility man Danny Pugh on loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
The 28-year-old returns to the club after a five-year spell that took in Preston North End and Premier League Stoke.
Danny, who was the club's first signing following our relegation from the Premier League in 2004, made 57 appearances for Leeds between 2004 and 2006, scoring six goals.
Danny was a regular during his first season, but found appearances restricted in 2005/06 and he moved to Preston that summer before joining Stoke two years later, who he helped reach the Premier League.
Danny, who has made 213 career appearances, can play anywhere on the left side of the park and has also played in central midfield.
"We're delighted to bring Danny to the football club," said United boss Simon Grayson.
"He is a versatile player and he is an experienced player, who has played in both the Premier League and the Europa League with Stoke.
"He also knows the Championship well and he knows this club very well. Two or three other clubs were in for him, but he jumped at the chance to come here.
"This was a deal we almost did on deadline day with some of the money that is available, but Tony wanted to keep him at Stoke a while longer, so we've brought him in on loan in the first instance and will make it permanent in January."
