BRIGHTON 3 (Mackail-Smith 48, 85, Barnes pen 60), UNITED 3 (Keogh 19, McCormack 24, 90)

Brighton: Ankergren, Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Painter, Noone (Vincelot 46), Dicker, Bridcutt, LuaLua, Barnes, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Brezovan, Hoskins, Navarro, Rodriguez.

United: Lonergan, Lees, Bromby, O'Dea, White, Snodgrass, Howson, Clayton, Pugh, McCormack, Keogh. Subs: Rachubka, Kisnorbo, Vayrynen, Becchio, Forssell.

Referee: L Probert.

Booked: Ankergren, Greer, Painter, Dicker, Barnes (Brighton), Howson, Bromby, Pugh, Keogh, McCormack (United)

Att 20,646 (2,200 Leeds)

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United manager Simon Grayson handed a "second debut" to new signing Danny Pugh on the left hand side of midfield for the club's first visit to Brighton's new Amex Stadium.

The hosts had made a good start to the new season, only losing one of their opening seven league games, and they boast the reputation of being a team who like to dominate the possession in games.

Their new stadium, coupled with the start to the season, ensured an atmosphere somewhat different to the Withdean Stadium, their previous home, and it was the hosts who had the first half-chance when Ashley Barnes fired over following a corner.

Grayson had stressted the importance of a strong work-rate from his players, and Leeds looked to close down Brighton and stifle their play during the opening 10 minutes or so.

With the ball United looked to move it forward incisively and Robert Snodgrass tried his luck with an angled effort which went over the top. Moments later, Adam Clayton had a shot deflected wide, and United's game plan was being executed well as the game headed towards the 20-minute mark.

The reward came on 19 minutes when Andy Keogh scored his first goal for the club. The Irishman finished off after a move that was started by Pugh and Aidy White resulted in Clayton have another effort blocked before the ball fell to Keogh.

It was a deserved opener, but Brighton gave a quick reminder of the threat they posed when Craig Noone whipped in a cross which Craig Mackail-Smith was inches away from connecting with his head.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 to Leeds. Ross McCormack got the ball on the edge of the area in space, turned and unleashed a superb strike that left former United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren with no chance.

It was a great start by United, whose work-rate and determination had provided the foundation for such an impressive opening.

United almost created another chance when Clayton seized on a loose ball, but no one could get on the end of a Pugh ball into the box.

Leeds kept pressing Brighton when the hosts had the ball, but Andy Lonergan was called upon for the first time in the 39th minute when a corner squirmed through to the feet of Mackail-Smith who found the United goalkeeper quick to react.

United's effort was summed up just moments before the break when Brighton were forced back deep into their own half after a half-cleared corner by Leeds and the  persistence of Snodgrass saw him win the ball back.

But after such a good first half effort, United conceded within three minutes of the re-start when Mackail-Smith weaved his way in from the right before tucking the ball under Lonergan to pull a goal back.

The goal gave the home crowd a huge lift and the atmosphere inside the stadium raised as Brighton looked to make the most of their momentum by driving forward. Jonny Howson was booked after thwarting one attack and Tom Lees reacted well to deal with the free-kick.

But the next foul proved costly when Leigh Bromby was adjudged to have tripped Mackail-Smith in the box and referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot. Barnes stepped up to take the penalty and he hammered the ball home to level on the hour.

United immediately came forward for the first time in the half and McCormack won a free-kick on the edge of the box after he was hauled back when looking to get through on goal. The Scot took the set-play and whipped in a stinging shot which was deflected for a corner. From the corner, Keogh headed over the top.

Luciano Becchio was introduced for the final 22 minutes of the contest and he was joined Mika Vayrynen with 10 minutes remaining, who replaced by second debut man Pugh. By now, United's work-rate was once again stifling Brighton and the pulsating contest appeared to be heading for a draw.

Former White Ankergren was called upon to race off his line on 84 minutes to thwart McCormack, and the keeper's quick release saw Leeds punished. Brighton moved the ball quickly and Mackail-Smith was on hand to convert a low cross to make it 3-2 to the hosts.

United did have a great opportunity to level with two minutes remaining, though. Vayrynen's shot was parried by Ankergren, but Clayton lifted the rebound over the bar.

And the equaliser did come in the final minute of the game when McCormack converted a Howson cross to secure a 3-3 dfraw.