Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Middlesbrough

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 31 March 2012

Two of the Championship's playoff chasers couldn't be separated as Brighton & Hove Albion and Middlesbrough played out a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium this afternoon.

Two of the Championship's playoff chasers couldn't be separated as Brighton & Hove Albion and Middlesbrough played out a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium this afternoon.

The game was full of chances from start to finish as Julio Arca came close early on for the visitors with a shot from long range.

Gus Poyet's side responded at the other end as firstly Will Buckley and then Alan Navarro forced saves from Jason Steele.

Middlesbrough continued to be a threat themselves but were foiled by a string of fine stops from Brighton stopper Peter Brezovan.

When Boro eventually did take the lead it came courtesy of a slice of fortune as Marvin Emnes's header deflected in via Seagulls defender Liam Bridcutt.

Several missed chances later, Boro were made to pay when Brighton equalised to earn a point.

Inigo Calderon was the unlikely goalscorer as he headed in from Kazenga Lua Lua's corner to level the scores and keep Albion above their opponents in the table.