TOP level changes may have taken place at Leeds United with the arrival of owner Ken Bates but it is the same old story on the pitch at Elland Road.

Frustrated fans saw their side throw away more home points as a late goal from 35-year-old defender Guy Butters earned Brighton a 1-1 draw after Leeds lost their way again.

Just five wins and six draws from 16 home Championship games has seen Leeds scrub together just 21 points from a possible 48.

Assistant boss Sam Ellis said: "We felt we got ourselves in a position to win and it is disappointing we didn't. It has happened on several occasions this season and it is something that we need to address."

Leeds began brightly enough with in-demand Aaron Lennon a constant threat down the right. Leeds have already turned down Premiership offers for the speedy box-of-tricks but will come under heavier pressure to sell after another exhilarating display.

United opened up ordinary Brighton several times but lacked conviction in the box until defender Clarke Carlisle shot home just before half-time after the Seagulls failed to clear his initial attempt from a corner.

Simon Walton missed a great chance to double United's lead straight after the interval and although 'keeper David Yell-dell, Blackburn's third choice on loan to Albion, did super-bly to tip over a Gary Kelly effort, Leeds produced less and less as the game went on.

Brighton boss Mark McGhee's changes saw Adam Virgo thrust up front from the back and Gary Hart come on to bolster the right-hand side.

As Leeds slowly lost a grip in midfield where Walton and Icelandic international Gylfi Einarsson faded, Brighton grew in confidence and punished United's inability to put the visitors away with Butters' late header.

Charlie Oatway was red-carded near the end for kicking out at Walton, but even the long-awaited return of Eirik Bakke as a late substitute could not inspire Leeds to fashion a winner which would have kept their wafer-thin play-off hopes alive.

Match facts:

Coca-Cola Championship

Leeds United 1, Brighton 1

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle, Butler, Richardson, Gregan, Lennon (Spring 78), Einarsson, Walton (Bakke 87), Healey, Deane. Subs (not used): Harrison, Ricketts, Griffit. Caution: Deane, Bakke. Goal: Carlisle 43.

Brighton: Yelldell, Virgo, Hinshelwood, Butters, Mayo, Reid, Oatway, Harding (Jones 63), Carpenter, McCammon (Hart 51), Knight (Nicolas 87). Subs (not used): May, El-Abd. Goal: Butters 81.

Referee: Mike Thorpe.

Attendance: 27,033.

Updated: 11:06 Monday, January 31, 2005