Poyet fury as the leaders are held after Pugh's stoppage-time penalty

Pugh scored from the spot after Tommy Elphick was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Brighton claimed the offence took place outside the area with Albion boss Gus Poyet unhappy with the decision.

Referee Darren Sheldrake consulted his assistant before pointing to the spot but Poyet declared: "The big disappointment was the linesman was in the wrong position to give it.

"The referee gave a free-kick and he was closer to the action. It was very tight to decide if it was inside or outside of the box. It was difficult."

Kazenga LuaLua's super long-range strike had given the hosts the lead after the break and they looked good value for all three points until the penalty award.

Carlisle kept in close contention with a 1-0 win over Notts County.

Striker Gary Madine settled the outcome in the 68th minute with a close-range effort.

Goals from Hartlepool defender Peter Hartley and midfielder Gary Liddle gave the home side a 2-0 win to dent Peterborough's promotion push.

Hartley struck just before the interval with a near post header and Liddle settled the contest in the last minute of the game with a 20-yard drive.

Oldham kept Brentford rooted to the foot of the table with a fine 3-1 away win. Athletic were stunned when Myles Weston put the home side ahead in the fourth minute but Dean Furman levelled 10 minutes later.

Chris Taylor put Oldham in front straight after half-time and victory was sealed in the 64th minute when Leon Legge brought down Taylor and Dale Stephens scored from the spot.

MK Dons kept Dagenham and Redbridge anchored in the bottom four with a 2-0 win.

Rochdale slipped to ninth after a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of lowly Yeovil and a last-minute equaliser from Paul Benson earned Charlton a point in a 2-2 draw at Plymouth.

Struggling Walsall beat Exeter 2-1 and Southampton beat Tranmere 2-0 at home.