Glenn Murray’s penalty-miss howler denied struggling Brighton a much-needed home win over high-flying Burnley.
The Clarets, even being spoken about in terms of a challenge for Europe, were well below par for most of the afternoon.
But Chris Hughton’s Seagulls, without a home win since September, may come to rue a host of wasted chances – and none more so than Murray’s.
The veteran striker won the award in a tangle with Burnley’s James Tarkowski, but then got up only to blaze the ball well over from the spot after 36 minutes.
Murray, back in the starting line-up after being left out at Tottenham on Wednesday night, had an early header saved at close range by Nick Pope.
And as play swung to the other end Johann Berg Gudmundsson had Matt Ryan sprawling to keep out his low 20-yard effort.
But the Seagulls then had a strong spell of pressure that should have seen them take the lead.
First Anthony Knockaert saw his volley cash back off a post from the recalled Pascal Gross’s cross.
And then Phil Bardsley headed a Lewis Dunk effort off the line, after the centre-back was teed up by regular provider Gross.
But Brighton’s best chance to break the deadlock came after 36 minutes.
Murray and Tarkowski tangled in the area and the Brighton striker went down, seeing referee Chris Kavanagh point to the spot.
Murray hauled himself up, and then blazed the spot-kick wildly over the crossbar.
There was then a coming-together between Murray and Tarkowski, with the Clarets’ defender appearing to throw his arm at the forward.
After the break a raking pass from Dunk found Knockaert, and his deflected cross was almost touched in by Murray.
But Burnley went close when at the third attempt on goal Chris Wood had the ball in the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
TEAM NEWS
The teams are in on the south coast.
Glenn Murray returns for Brighton as Chris Hughton makes a number of changes, with skipper Bruno also back.
Sixth place Burnley have Chris Wood leading the line, with Charlie Taylor in at left back.
Brighton XI: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Propper, Stephens; Knockaert, Gross, March; Murray
Burnley XI: Pope; Bardsley, Mee, Tarkowski, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Cork, Defour, Arfield; Hendrick; Wood.
Welcome
Sean Dyche believes a culture of equality will prevent egomania creeping into a Burnley team that sits alongside Tottenham and Liverpool in the table.
The Clarets, only being kept out of the Champions League qualification spots on goal difference, have been the Premier League’s surprise package as the campaign approaches the halfway point.
Above Arsenal and level on points with Spurs and Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, there may be a fear that Burnley’s players could get carried away by their unforeseen success.
Yet their boss Dyche has no worries regarding that issue, highlighting how the Clarets have instilled an atmosphere where even he is viewed as being on his players’ level.
“It’s a belief I’ve got than when you’re in here we’re all equal, including me,” Dyche said.
“I always say, ‘Take your ego off at the gate and put it back on when you leave’. When you’re in the club we’re all the same and I think that’s a healthy way of working.
“I certainly don’t think I’m above them. I have to lead them in different ways but I’m part of the group. That’s an appropriate way of having true professionalism and a true team.
“If you can get everyone to understand we’re all in it together, and there’s no need for that strange egotistical view which sometimes creeps into clubs, then they buy into that.
“That thinking was built over time. Words are cheap. People have to adopt it and they rub off on each other and slowly but surely a culture is set.”