Brighton boost promotion hopes and deal blow to Birmingham boss Gianfranco Zola

It was a cruel finish to the match for Birmingham and Zola, who looked to be heading for a memorable victory following a 52nd-minute goal from striker Lukas Jutkiewicz.

But Brighton are not second in the Sky Bet Championship without the ability to hit back. The ever-dangerous Anthony Knockaert equalised in the 83rd minute before Murray headed in to give Brighton a 2-1 success, with the Seagulls extending their unbeaten run to 16 games.

It was certainly a baptism of fire for the Italian manager who took over from Gary Rowett in midweek under surprising circumstances.

Reading keeping up their distant pursuit of the top two in English football's second division with a 3-2 win at Blackburn Rovers secured by a 92nd-minute winner from George Evans.

Jaap Stam's side leapt above Huddersfield Town into third place, eight points behind Brighton, while Leeds United moved into fifth with Kyle Bartley's 89th-minute header earning them a 1-0 win over Brentford.

Sheffield Wednesday are in the final playoff spot in sixth place after they too needed a stoppage-time winner to beat Rotherham United 1-0 with Steven Fletcher converting from the penalty spot.