Leeds United 1, Brighton 1

Like so many of us, Gus Poyet thought Leeds United were certainties to capture automatic promotion to the Championship at the turn of the year.

Now, after seeing his Brighton side come within seconds of snatching all three points at Elland Road, the former Leeds coach has changed his opinion.

And Leeds manager Simon Grayson admits he faces the biggest test of his reign at the club after a nightmare run of just one win in eight league games. It’s not just those results that have spread alarm among Leeds’ supporters – it is the absence of the quality football that lit up Coca-Cola League One during the first half of the season that gives most cause for concern.

Grayson responded to the shocker against Walsall four days earlier by replacing Robert Snodgrass, Luciano Becchio, Leigh Bromby and Jason Crowe with Jonny Howson, Micky Doyle, Patrick Kisnorbo and Andrew Hughes.

However, the changes failed to spark much improvement and it wasn’t until Max Gradel, Becchio and Snodgrass left the bench that Brighton’s Slovakian keeper Peter Brezovan was put under serious pressure.

Gary McSheffrey, who operated out wide against Walsall, partnered Jermaine Beckford in the attack but their partnership failed to click and more changes are likely against Oldham at Elland Road on Tuesday night.

Kisnorbo did add solidarity to a defence in which left back Shane Lowry also stood out, but there were so many aimless passes that supporters’ patience snapped in the 77th minute when lone striker Glenn Murray opened the scoring for Brighton from the penalty spot after stumbling to an admittedly tame challenge from Leeds captain Richard Naylor.

The fans’ chants demanded to know what was going on, but the game turned when Brighton defender Adam Virgo was sent off for an horrendously late tackle which sent Gradel hurtling into the air with nine minutes left.

Kisnorbo was only inches away from an equaliser when Becchio won the ball in the air and nodded it down to him but, for the third time in Leeds’ last four league games, an injury-time goal arrived.

Gradel’s cross from the left brought a downward header from Becchio which enabled Snodgrass to drill a low left-foot shot past Brezovan and spark a rumpus on the benches.

Leeds coach Glynn Snodin had to be restrained after Brighton assistant manager Mauricio Taricco hurled something towards the Leeds bench in frustration. Poyet, who claimed the pressure was getting to Leeds, was angry over the wild celebrations that greeted the late equaliser.

He said: “They celebrated the goal like they were going up. I don’t know why. They came over to us past the fourth official and celebrated in front of us.

"I don’t have a problem with anyone at Leeds. It was a special day and I have seen so many friends but I think they are under pressure. They are really feeling it.

“I feel sad for them because that reaction was from people who don’t understand the game. I said a month ago that this is the year for Leeds. I was convinced, but after seeing their reaction I am not sure.

“I think they were complaining that we were wasting time but did I tell the players to waste time? No. Were we cheating? No. I promise you, we did nothing.”

Leeds manager Simon Grayson said: “There was a bit of passion being thrown around at the end of the game. Glynn (Snodin) got carried away slightly. I think their assistant manager refused to shake his hand.”

Grayson confessed: “This is the biggest test I’ve had since I’ve been at the club because we’ve not won too many matches.

"That was the case when I first came here but we turned it round with a lot of hard work and a desire to succeed. I would like to think I am a tough character and we will get back to where we want to be.

“We are still in a good position in second place with 15 games left.”