Brighton 2-2 Watford

Watford were left wondering what might have been, after Brighton and Hove Albion’s second-half comeback ensured the points were shared at the Amex Stadium. The Hornets had raced into a two-goal lead at half-time, courtesy to Sean Murray’s fine 25-yard free-kick, and a Troy Deeney penalty. 18-year-old Murray, whose blossoming form has earned him the Football League’s Young Player of the Month award for March, gave Watford the lead just six minutes in.

His superb curling free-kick from 25 yards gave David Gonzalez in the Brighton goal no chance.

Ex-Hornets winger Will Buckley had made a lively start, and was close to pulling the home side level when his header from Marcus Painter’s cross rebounded back off the post and into the arms of Thomas Kuszczak.

But despite Buckley’s efforts, Watford doubled their lead just before the break.

Following good interplay between Deeney, Prince Buaben and Jonathan Hogg, the latter was clumsily fouled in the area by Ashley Barnes, leaving referee Scott Mathieson no option but to point to the spot.

Deeney confidently stepped up and sent Gonzalez the wrong way to notch his 9th league goal of the season.

Brighton’s fans made their feelings clear at half-time, booing the home team off the pitch.

The hosts, however, started the second half brightly, and after a lively start pulled themselves back into the game.

Spanish right-back Inigo Calderon advanced down the right, before firing a shot that Kuszczak did well to parry.

Unfortunately for the Hornets’ stopper, the ball rebounded back to Calderon, who this time made no mistake as his shot thudded into the ground before nestling in the back of the net.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the home side got their equaliser.

Substitute Vicente, whose introduction had lifted the crowd, crossed low and found Buckley in space.

Buckley, who joined Brighton in the summer for a fee of around £1million, converted the chance with ease – giving Kuszczak no chance.

In an entertaining finale, both teams had chances to win the game.

First, after more good work by Hogg, Deeney curled his effort just wide of Gonzalez’s goal.

Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage-time, Vicente again found space before smashing in a cross-shot that just eluded onrushing striker Craig Mackail-Smith as both sides were forced to settle for a point.