Kobbie Mainoo bagged a brace for Manchester United U21s but it was not enough for the Reds as they drew 3-3 at Leigh Sports Village to Brighton and Hove Albion.
United took the lead in the first half as a corner found Mainoo unmarked to volley home. The Seagulls equalised less than ten minutes later though as the Reds' defence failed to close down Todd Miller who, given the freedom, picked out the top corner.
The visitors turned the game on its head shortly after the interval when Radek Vitek couldn't get down quick enough to prevent Antef Tsoungui finding the bottom corner. Brighton's lead did not last for long though as Mainoo continued his knack of being in the right place at the right time to fire in his second.
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However, the game would swing once again due to a mistake. Vitek chose to come for a long ball but was beaten to it by Seagulls striker Evan Ferguson who was able to round the 'keeper to tap home.
Czechia's young 'keeper was let off the hook with seven minutes remaining though as Bjorn Hardley headed home at the back stick to share the spoils.
United U21s manager Mark Dempsey made five changes to the side that beat Barrow in the Papa John's Trophy on Tuesday night. Having featured on the bench against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday, Alejandro Garnacho and Zidane Iqbal dropped out of the team, as did Nathan Bishop, Daniel Gore and Facundo Pellistri.
The Reds started on the back foot and had 'keeper Radek Vitek to thank for not going behind inside five minutes. He first produced a superb right-handed stop to deny Jack Hinselwood before Andy Moran hesitated to allow him to get down to his right to keep out the Seagulls striker.
Brighton started with the lion's share of possession but were susceptible to a loose pass though neither Charlie McNeill or captain Charlie Savage could trouble James Beadle in goal. Having denied Isak Hansen-Aaroen twice in quick succession, Beadle was helpless to preventing United taking the lead on 21 minutes when a corner to the back stick found Mainoo unmarked to volley the ball home.
Brighton thought that they were level moments later but Moran was adjudged to be offside by the linesman. Miller did equalise for the visitors on the half-hour mark as United failed to close the winger down allowing him to place one into the top corner.
United started the second 45 slowly and were behind shortly after the restart. A corner found its way to the back stick where Tsoungui found himself unmarked. His shot wrong-footed Vitek and nestled in the bottom corner.
However, they were not in front for long as another set piece caught the Seagulls off-guard and Mainoo was in the right place at the right time to fire home despite the best efforts of Beadle. Vitek would not want to see the moment that decided the game with just over 20 minutes remaining.
The United stopper decided to come for a long ball but misjudged it in the sun. Ferguson arrived first and nonchalantly rounded the 'keeper to tap home into an empty net.
Fortunately the Reds did not give up and the unlikely source of Hardley stepped up to save his 'keeper's blushes. The left-back lurked at the back post to head home and set up a grandstand finish but the points were shared.
United XI: Vitek; Jurado, Fredricson, Bennett, Hardley; Savage, Mainoo, Collyer; Shoretire, McNeill, Hansen-Aaroen
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