Brighton held at home by Bournemouth after silly Callum Wilson goal

Brighton conceded a farcical equaliser as they twice lost a lead to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth.

Callum Wilson was the beneficiary as he diverted the ball into the net after a penalty area scramble that saw the hosts squander plenty of opportunities to clear.

Brighton started well and were ahead within five minutes when Anthony Knockaert finished off a nice team move from a tight angle, but former Seagull Steve Cook levelled from a corner.

Soon after half-time it was Bournemouth’s turn to concede to a former player when Glenn Murray netted following a clinical counter-attack, and Jose Izquierdo missed a great chance to make it 3-1 which would come back to bite Brighton.

The result leaves Brighton 12th on 23 points and the Cherries one place and two points worse off, although the teams below all have at least one game in hand.

Bournemouth leave it late again. Bournemouth have scored a late goal to either win or rescue a point three games in a row now, which says something for the character of Eddie Howe’s side. They have only one win in nine and sit just three points above the drop zone, with Arsenal and Chelsea among their next three opponents. At some point though these rescue acts are likely not to come off, and then you worry for the Cherries. They need Josh King and Jermain Defoe back fit as soon as possible.

Pascal Gross (Brighton): The German was involved in all of Brighton’s best moments and his interplay with the other attackers, Murray in particular, was excellent. For both goals he played a crucial role, assisting the assists.

Brighton: Ryan 7, Schelotto 7, Dunk 6, Duffy 6, Suttner 6, Stephens 6, Propper 6, Knockaert 7, Izquierdo 6, Gross 8, Murray 7. Subs: Bruno 6, Brown n/a.

Bournemouth: Begovic 7, Smith 6, Francis 5, S Cook 6, Daniels 6, Ibe 7, L Cook 6, Arter 6, Pugh 5, Afobe 5, Wilson 6. Subs: Ake 6, Gosling 6, Mousset 5.

5’ – GOAL! Brighton 1-0 Bournemouth (Knockaert). Duffy picks out Suttner with a brilliant crossfield ball, he plays it inside to Gross and he in turn plays in Izquierdo, who squares for Knockaert to score from a tight angle.

33’ – GOAL! Brighton 1-1 Bournemouth (S. Cook). From an Ibe corner, Cook rises highest and loops a brilliant header in off the bar at the far post.

43’ – SAVE! Murray and Gross combine brilliantly - not for the first time - and the former picks out Izquierdo eight yards from goal with a lovely pass but he's denied by a superb Begovic save, with his legs, and the ball then bounces out off Izquierdo.

48’ – GOAL! Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth (Murray). Francis gets caught in possession by Izquierdo, who is soon released by Gross and the Colombian squares for Murray who calmly finishes. Clinical from the Seagulls!

68’ – CHANCE! Brighton break from a Bournemouth corner through Izquierdo, who skips past two players then runs almost the length of the pitch but then goes alone and overuns it, allowing Begovic to smother his shot.

79’ – GOAL! Brighton 2-2 Bournemouth (Wilson). Ibe sends in a corner and after an incredibly scrappy series of ricochets Wilson diverts the ball into the net.

Bournemouth are now unbeaten in nine games against Brighton, and have never lost in three trips to the Amex Stadium.

Murray’s goal was his 22nd at the Amex Stadium – more than any other player.