NEAL MAUPAY delighted Brighton’s long-suffering fans with a stoppage time equaliser at Southampton.
Albion supporters were facing a nightmare journey back along the south coast with train disruptions but Maupay made the short journey sweeter.
That was when substitute Jakub Moder’s free-kick came back off the Saints wall and his follow-up effort was volleyed home by Maupay.
But Slough’s Armando Broja had the first laugh on Brighton in his favourite Southampton office.
The Chelsea loanee’s clever 29th minute winner condemned Albion to a club record equalling ten top-flight games without victory.
And it gave the striker, born in the town made famous by Ricky Gervais TV series The Office, his third goal in as many home appearances.
Broja, preferred to Adam Armstrong who was dropped to the bench, had the Seagulls flapping twice in the opening six minutes.
The Chelsea boy burst clear on four minutes only to see Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez save with his outstretched leg.
And in Southampton’s next attack Broja turned his marker only to be denied again by Sanchez’s boot as the home side flew out of the traps.
Injury hit Brighton were forced to make four changes from the team that draw at West Ham in mid-week including club stalwart Lewis Dunk.
Albion recovered their composure after a nervy start and on 17 minutes Enock Mwepu struck a fierce 16yard effort which home goalkeeper Alex McCarthy pushed away.
Mccarthy had to repeat that skill eight minutes later to deny Leandro Trossard’s bouncing shot from distance.
But Broja was enjoying leading the line at home where the Saints have suffered just two defeats in their past 12 league games.
And a noisy St. Mary’s roared their approval on 29 minutes when the Albanian under-21 international coolly put them ahead.
Sanchez’s clearance was headed forward by Saints defender Lyanco for Nathan Redmond to flick a header to Broja.
The striker left Shane Duffy on the deck with some clever footwork before stroking the ball past Sanchezwith the outside of his right boot.
Broja really should have put Brighton to the sword by gobbling up a second five minutes after the break.
Redmond put Valentino Livramento clear down the right and he picked out Broja lurking all on his own in the box.
But with only Sanchez to beat the Chelsea youngster dragged his shot wide from 12 yards much to Brighton’s relief.
Three minutes later James Ward Prowse tried to catch Sanchez out with one of his astute free-kicks but the ball dipped just over the bar.
Albion, who had drawn four of their last five trips on the road, hardly challenged the home defence that had conceded eight goals in their previous three matches.
And Frenchman Neal Maupay didn’t help the cause just before the hour when he dragged Yves Bissouma’s pass wide of the target.
Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Maupay spurned another glorious chance when substitute Aaron Connelly set him up close in but his low shot was cleared by McCarthy’s
There was another injury scare for Brighton in the final seconds when Trossard was stretchered off with what looked like a shoulder injury after a Redmond challenge.
But Maupay at least brought some light relief to the Brighton camp when he had the last laugh in ten minutes of stoppage time.
