BRENTFORD nicked a point at Withdean with virtually the last kick of the game and few could genuinely deny they deserved it.
But Albion were the architects of their own failure to take all three points, rather than anything particularly special produced by Brentford.
Two-nil up before 15 minutes were on the clock, the Seagulls shamefully took their collective feet off the pedal and allowed the Bees to get back into the game - and then sting them right at the end.
Was it youthful naivety? Maybe, but we've seen it before with Brighton
- scoring two goals in a game has become so rare in recent times they think that's enough, when going on and burying a team is actually allowed.
Brentford could - and should - have been out of sight before Albion ran out of steam.
It was the third game in a week and maybe one or two were beginning to think League One is going to be a doddle.
As media commentator Mike Ward said on the truly awful post-match fans phone-in, the result actually may do us more good in the long-run because people will now take a look at themselves rather than thinking it's a piece of cake.
Expect changes for the Forest encounter. Mark McGhee wasn't getting carried away even before this disappointment and dropping two points will give him the perfect excuse to shake up the starting line-up to avoid any complacency drifting into the squad.
Wayne Henderson may well return from his midweek international call-up to discover he's only on the bench at the City Ground next Saturday.
The young Irish 'keeper made two superb point-blank stops against Gillingham but he was back to last season's line-rooted jitters on too many occasions in the second half against Brentford, and he will not want to watch a replay of the last-minute equaliser.
Adam El-Abd, who has so far performed admirably alongside Joel Lynch in the heart of the defence, might also pay the price for his culpability in failing to deal with Chris Moore's last gasp effort.
There's no doubt Henderson is a better kicker than Kuipers - with both feet.
But the former Dutch Marine deserves a run-out after impressing pre-season, and an early exchange of places would probably benefit both of them - and the team - in terms of encouraging even better performances.
Keith Lowe, brought in from Wolves as centre back cover, hasn't yet been given a start, but the Brentford result now gives McGhee the perfect excuse to give him his debut.
The highly impressive Lynch once again looked a class above his team-mates and it will be a miracle if the cash-strapped Seagulls can retain his services until the end of the season. In fact people are already saying they're nervous that he'll be snapped up before the end of the August transfer window.
The way he burst forward down the left side to cross for Gary Hart to stab in the second goal was, as the official website reported, reminiscent of the way Mark Lawrenson used to play for the Seagulls.
The similarities are not lightly bestowed upon him.
West Ham youngster Tony Stokes has shown some decent touches since his introduction but tackling is obviously not a strength and too often against Brentford he committed needless fouls. One, just outside the penalty area, led directly to O'Connor's goal from the resultant free kick (but why wasn't there a defender on the post?).
Richard Carpenter is back on form after an indifferent season in the Championship and seems to be revelling in the holding midfield role, but he needs a few more experienced heads around him to help bring on the youngsters. Dean Hammond got off the mark with a penalty after Stokes was upended in the box, but he seems uncertain of exactly where he should be playing in the new 4-1-2-3 formation.
The shaven-headed Kerry Mayo ought to be lending his experience to the youngsters but against Brentford he was once again struggling to get his own game together and with McGhee's reported enthusiasm to give Sam Rents a go, this could be another change we'll see at Nottingham.
It will also be interesting to see whether want-away Colin Kazim-Richards will return to the fold against Forest. Many of us forget he's still only a young man: there's no doubting his potential, if only he'll allow it to be harnessed in the right way. I hope he knuckles down in training this week and plays his way into the starting line-up.
It is difficult for him because Jake Robinson is looking confident and dangerous, and will have been buoyed by his winner against Gillingham.
Alex Revell is clearly enjoying a second chance at league football, but maybe now needs a game or two coming off the bench.
Gary Hart continues to give his all, as ever, but the need for a tall hold-up striker was there for all to see against Brentford.
It'll be interesting to see if that elusive player can be brought in before August 31, otherwise I fear another season of frustration after what had been a promising start.
Nick TurrellLabels: Brentford, League One, Nick Turrell
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