Town forced to settle for point

League one

Promotion-hopefuls Huddersfield Town picked up a point while not at their best at struggling Brighton.

The Seagulls, who dominated the second half at Withdean Stadium, have yet to win a home league game under Gus Poyet.

Midfielder Anthony Pilkington went close for Town in each half, and nearly snatched victory when his tremendous 40-yard free-kick cannoned back off the crossbar 11 minutes from time.

Goalkeeper Alex Smithies then crucially tipped over from team-mate Peter Clarke as the Terriers held on.

Huddersfield, who sprang a surprise by dropping leading scorer Jordan Rhodes to the bench in favour of Robbie Simpson, went close early on when he had a far-post header cleared off the line.

Huddersfield again threatened when Clarke had a looping header saved by Michel Kuipuis.

Pilkington should have hit the target before the break but put the ball over.

In a lively start to the second half, Nathan Eccleston had a deflected shot go wide.

Brighton almost broke the deadlock on the hour when Holroyd laid the ball off to Liam Dickinson, whose goal-bound shot was tipped over by Smithies.

Seb Carole blazed a late chance over for Brighton, who have not won at home in the League for four months.

Huddersfield lived dangerously as Adam Virgo shot over after substitute Glen Murray just failed to connect with a cross from Elliott Bennett.

Brighton: Kuipuis; Calderon, Virgo, Elphick, Painter; Bennett, Navarro, Crofts, Carole (Dicker 71); Holroyd, Dickinson (Murray 65). Unused substitutes: Cox, Tunnicliffe, Hart, Hoyte, Brezavan.

Huddersfield Town: Smithies; Peltier, Trotman, P Clarke, Williams; Pilkington, Kaye, Collins (T Clarke 71), Drinkwater; Simpson (Rhodes 63), Eccleston (Novak 63). Unused substitutes: N Clarke, Roberts, Pearce, Eastwood.

Referee: Steve Bratt (West Midlands).