Spoils shared at Withdean

Brighton moved away from the foot of the Division One table after holding out for a share of the spoils against a determined Ipswich outfit.

The visitors played some typically attractive football but were heading for a second consecutive defeat.

Bobby Zamora's brilliant 18-yard effort on the stroke of half-time gave the home side the advantage.

However, defender Jim Magilton's vicious strike after 78 minutes rescued a well-deserved point for the visitors in an entertaining game.

Ipswich were quickest out of the traps and dominated the opening exchanges.

But the home side had the first chance of the game and striker Zamora was unlucky not to put the Seagulls ahead after seven minutes.

The England Under-21 international waltzed past a static Ipswich defence and found himself in a one-on-one position with Paul Gerrard.

However, his strike hit the inside of the post and trickled into the grateful hands of the Ipswich goalkeeper.

For all Town's possession, they rarely threatened Michels Kuipers' goal and it was Brighton who looked the more dangerous on the break.

And with the game approaching half time, Zamora opened the scoring with a goal of real class.

Alun Armstrong needlessly gave away possession and the home side broke at pace.

Paul Brooker unlocked the Town defence and found Zamora who cut inside on to his favoured left foot before curling an unstoppable strike into the top corner of the net.

After the interval, a fine cross from Nathan Jones found Steven Sidwell in acres of space in the six-yard box , but his header somehow went wide of the target.

Ipswich manager Joe Royle clearly felt his side were found wanting in the final third of the field.

And he introduced Spanish striker Pablo Counago into the attack at the expense of Darren Bent.

Counago's introduction provided Ipswich with an extra attacking dimension.

His header from 10 yards was well gathered by Kuipers after 70 minutes and, eight minutes later, the visitors deservedly restored parity.

Ambrose jinked his way past three Brighton defenders before deftly teeing up Magilton whose 20-yard effort rocketed past Kuipers and into the net.

BBC