Albion threw away two points in farcical circumstances as they drew 2-2 at home to Rochdale today.

The Seagulls twice led and looked to be on their way to three hard-earned points, despite having debutant skipper Gordon Greer sent-off when conceding a penalty.

Then keeper Casper Ankergren, under no pressure, opted to punch rather than catch a mis-directed free-kick and could only help the ball to the feet of Gary Jones, who expertly lofted it back over him for a 90th-minute leveller.

Glenn Murray headed Albion ahead against his old club on 47 minutes after his initial effort came back off the underside of the bar.

Albion, who had struggled to turn copious amounts of possession and some neat passing into clearcut chances, looked well set at that stage.

However Greer saw red after a clash with Anthony Elding seconds after the Rochdale striker had come on as sub and made a beeline for the area, where he jostled with the Albion defender.

Jones tucked away the resulting penalty.

Albion responded well with ten men and went ahead again midway through the half thanks to a stunning finish from just outside the box by Elliott Bennett when a weak header fell to his right foot.

Marcos Painter kept them in front with an unlikely block in front of goal and Josh Lillis denied the lively Murray at the other end before Jones struck.