Adam Virgo turned from villain to hero when he helped to keep Brighton in the Championship as Mark McGhee's side earned the point they needed against promotion-chasing Ipswich at the Withdean Stadium.
Virgo was not expected to play due to a cartilage injury sustained in last month's home draw against Leicester. The versatile youngster was expected to have surgery earlier this week, but Brighton took medical advice and he was able to play.
It threatened to be the wrong decision when a mistake by Virgo helped Ipswich take a fourth minute lead. He failed to cut out a pass by Jim Magilton and Shefki Kuqi rifled in his 19th goal of the season.
Virgo, back in the centre of defence after spending much of the season as an emergency striker, made amends in the tenth minute with Brighton's equaliser.
Gary Hart's glancing header from a Richard Carpenter free-kick was parried by Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis and Virgo rammed in the rebound at the far post on the half-volley, his ninth goal of the season.
It seemed comfortable for Brighton at half-time as relegation rivals Crewe and Gillingham were both behind. But the tension mounted after the break as Alex recovered to beat Coventry at home and the Gills drew at Nottingham Forest.
Brighton knew they needed to hold on for a draw to survive and they managed it in the face of an Ipswich onslaught. The visitors, their automatic promotion hopes dashed by Wigan's win at home to Reading, did everything they could to try to win the game.
Manager Joe Royle sent on Pablo Counago and James Scowcroft to form a four-man attack in the closing stages.
Brighton had several narrow escapes, but they somehow managed to keep Ipswich at bay.