Brighton must battle for promotion at Boro after drawing with Derby
Brighton face a final-day promotion showdown at Middlesbrough after their run of five successive Sky Bet Championship wins ended with a 1-1 home draw against Derby.
The clash at the Riverside will determine who goes up to the Barclays Premier League and, while Boro only require a point, victory would ensure Brighton reach the top flight after a 33-year absence.
Derby went into the game, before a record crowd at the Amex Stadium of 30,294, already assured of a place in the play-offs and went in front 19 minutes from time through substitute Andreas Weimann.
Brighton had defender Lewis Dunk sent off for two bookable offences before substitute James Wilson rescued a point with the last kick of the game.
Unchanged Brighton, now unbeaten in their last 13 games, threatened in only the fifth minute when Israel international Beram Kayal fired a deflected 20-yard drive narrowly wide.
Derby goalkeeper Scott Carson was called into action from the resulting corner when he saved a low goalbound effort from French winger Anthony Knockaert.
The Rams failed to make the most of a good opportunity in the 10th minute when an excellent long ball by midfielder Craig Bryson released Tom Ince in a good position in front of goal, but the England Under-21 international blasted into the side-netting.
Centre-back Jason Shackell prevented Derby from going behind five minutes later with a superb flicked header over his own bar to keep out a left-footed free-kick from Knockaert.
The Seagulls continued to pose the most threat and Czech Republic international Jiri Skalak drove over left footed from a tight angle after a clever flick from Dunk midway through the half.
Brighton produced a flowing move in the 34th minute when Liam Rosenior combined cleverly with Sam Baldock and a nicely flighted cross from Skalak was headed narrowly wide by Tomer Hemed.
Derby midfielder George Thorne got on the end of a corner from Johnny Russell but his attempt lacked power and Albion midfielder Dale Stephens made a comfortable clearance on the line.
Keeper David Stockdale was pressed into service soon after the interval and twice had to make saves on shots by Will Hughes.
Russell then tried his luck with an effort from outside the area which former Fulham stopper Stockdale saved comfortably.
The Seagulls, knocked out of the play-offs by Derby two seasons ago, threatened again when former Leicester man Knockaert floated in a dangerous cross, but Dunk was unable to keep his header down at the far post.
Brighton had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Robert Madley when Knockaert went down under a challenge from Thorne, who appeared to win the ball fairly.
Albion boss Chris Hughton attempted to freshen up his front line midway through the second half by introducing Wilson and Kazenga LuaLua, with Baldock and Skalak making way.
Derby broke the deadlock on 71 minutes when Austria striker Weimann struck within moments of replacing Ince.
A lofted ball over the top by Hughes put Weimann in on goal and, after his initial shot was blocked by Stockdale, the forward kept his cool to steer the rebound into the net.
Albion had to play the final seven minutes with 10 men after central defender Dunk received a second yellow card for a late challenge on midfielder Bryson.
Then, at the death, on-loan Manchester United striker Wilson scored with a close-range shot which went in off Jacob Butterfield.
Source: PA
