Leeds 1 Brighton 1: Struijk’s late strike seals vital point for Whites who leapfrog Burnley and move out relegation zone

PASCAL STRUIJK nodded a stoppage time Prem lifeline for Leeds  - just as the relegation trapdoor looked to be opening.

The Dutch midfielder – on as an 83^rd minute sub – got on the end of a Joe Gelhardt cross and got enough on his effort to force it over the line.

For much of the afternoon it looked like former Manchester United man Danny Welbeck would be the scourge of West Yorkshire.

Leeds wasted a host of chances to cancel out his early strike but found Seagulls keeper Robert Sanchez in inspired form.

But the Spaniard was finally beaten in added time and Jesse Marsch’s men at least know their fight for survival goes on until the final day.

Burnley’s defeat at Tottenham was confirmed just seconds before kick-off – but Leeds could not take full advantage.

And the Clarets know that a win at Villa Park on Thursday night will put them very much in the box seat in the battle to stay up.

But how big could this point be when the final whistle is blown on the season next Sunday?

What Leeds really needed was an early goal and they were so close to getting one as a corner fell nicely in the box for young striker Joe Gelhardt.

He swivelled and got a shot away but it was straight into the face of his own captain Liam Cooper.

How’s your luck?

Having weathered the early storm, Brighton – fresh from a thumping win over Manchester United last week – began to fight their way back into it.

Moises Caicedo forced a save out of Illan Meslier while the keeper was there again to keep out Solly March after a clever pass from Leandro Trossard.

The Leeds keeper was there again to keep out Pascal Gross at his near post but the Seagulls were starting to look ominous.

And when Rodrigo was dispossessed on the edge of the box, the visitors swept forward with Yves Bissouma slipping in Welbeck.

He turned inside Diego Llorente before chipping a delightful finish over Meslier.

At least that would have brought a smile at Old Trafford - as well as on the south coast.

It could have got worse for the home side too. A Trossard cross looped over Meslier but landed on the roof of the net.

Robin Koch got back to make a superb last ditch tackle on Trossard before Alexis MacAllister failed to direct the rebound on target.

Yet Leeds hung in and could have been level on half time as Mateusz Klich found space on the edge of the box to receive a corner and curled a shot which brought a flying save from Robert Sanchez.

They had chances early in the second half too with Jack Harrison sending a volley narrowly over the bar.

Then Rodrigo managed to get on the end of a Raphinha cross but his shot took a nick off Lewis Dunk and bounced over the bar.

The home crowd knew exactly what even a point here could mean and they were almost back on terms when Raphinha thumped a 25 yard free-kick which was somehow kept out by Sanchez.

And he got on the end of a superb through ball by Rodrigo but slid his shot just wide as he stretched to get on the end of it.

Another chance came when Harrison’s shot was blocked but it dropped nicely for Klich whose close range shot was again stopped by Sanchez.

Then Klich found the right pass for Gelhardt and the young striker beat Sanchez but saw his effort go the wrong side of the post.

Welbeck  planted a header wide which could have finished Leeds off – but when the fourth official held up six minutes, the home crowd knew there was still time.

Gelhardt did superbly to wriggle clear on the right and held up a cross to the back post where Struijk managed to nod it over the line.

It sparked wild celebrations – win at Brentford next Sunday and it may just be enough.