Brighton's automatic promotion bid suffered a double set-back. We dropped two precious home points and lost Bobby Zamora with a dislocated shoulder. Latest reports suggest that he could be out for 2 weeks.
The afternoon began well for the Albion when Zamora struck after only five minutes. He slotted his 31st goal of the season from close range after a Paul Brooker cross, and some good work by Junior Lewis.
We dominated the first half on a heavy Withdean pitch, and Brooker nearly doubled the lead with an effort which rebounded off the bar. Daniel Webb put us 2-0 up after 48 minutes with his first goal for the Albion. Richard Carpenter released Harty down the right and Webb met the cross with a thumping header into the roof of the net from point-blank range.
Brighton seemed well on course for their ninth home win out of 10 at that stage, but the game started to turn away from them when Zamora was hurt in a challenge by Danny Stone. The County full-back had already received a yellow card early on, and could count himself fortunate not to be sent off for a second bookable offence.
With Zamora back in the dressing room, Notts launched an improbable revival. Australian marksman Daniel Allsopp gave them hope after 71 minutes when he turned to rifle his 24th of the season from the narrowest of angles.
Marcel Cas scored a spectacular equaliser for the visitors with five minutes left. Cas, spotting fellow Dutchman Michels Kuipers off his line, dipped a stunning volley over the stranded keeper from 35 yards.
The point was enough to lift County out of the relegation zone and extend their unbeaten run to six matches. The chasing pack are closing up on Brighton, and they could now be without Zamora for a fortnight.
Notts boss Bill Dearden said: "We were very slow out of the blocks and started sloppily, but it was a great result for us in the end. "It was great finish by Marcel, and it just shows the attitude of my boys. They never know when they are beaten."
Webb said: "It was great to score my first goal for Brighton, but it was tarnished by the result. We are still second with five games to go and I am confident we can do it."