County battle back to claim precious point

The Withdean Stadium

Brighton's automatic promotion bid suffered a double set-back.

They dropped two precious promotion points and lost the prolific Bobby Zamora with a dislocated shoulder.

The afternoon began well for Peter Taylor's team when Zamora struck after only five minutes.

Bobby Zamora

He slotted his 31st goal of the season from close range after a Paul Brooker cross.

Brighton dominated the first half on a heavy Withdean pitch, and Brooker nearly doubled their lead with an effort which rebounded off the bar.

Daniel Webb put The Seagulls 2-0 up after 48 minutes with his first goal for the club.

Richard Carpenter released Gary Hart down the right and Webb met the cross with a thumping header into the roof of the net from point-blank range.

Brighton seemed well on course for their ninth home win out of 10 at that stage, but the game started to turn away from them when Zamora was hurt in a challenge by Danny Stone.

The County full-back had already received a yellow card early on, and could count himself fortunate not to be sent off for a second bookable offence.

In the Dressing room

With Zamora back in the dressing room, Notts launched an improbable revival. Australian marksman Daniel Allsopp gave them hope after 71 minutes when he turned to rifle his 24th of the season from the narrowest of angles.

Fantastic

Marcel Cas scored a spectacular equaliser for the visitors with five minutes left. Cas, spotting fellow Dutchman Michels Kuipers off his line, dipped a stunning volley over the stranded keeper from 35 yards.

The point was enough to lift County out of the relegation zone and extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

The chasing pack are closing up on Brighton, and they could now be without Zamora for a fortnight.

"We were slow out of the blocks"

Notts boss Bill Dearden said: "We were very slow out of the blocks and started sloppily, but it was a great result for us in the end.

"It was great finish by Marcel, and it just shows the attitude of my boys. They never know when they are beaten."

Webb said: "It was great to score my first goal for Brighton, but it was tarnished by the result. We are still sickened with five games to go and I am confident we can do it."