Marcus Bignot's own goal threw Brighton a relegation lifeline as Mark McGhee's men battled back to earn a point against 10-man QPR.

Gareth Ainsworth looked to have pushed Brighton a step closer to the drop with his seventh goal of the season early in the first half.

But Rangers, who had striker Kevin Gallen sent off shortly after the break for an off-the-ball clash with Paul McShane, were pegged back when Bignot turned a hopeful Gary Hart punt past his own goalkeeper 10 minutes from time.

Sheffield Wednesday's win over Preston leaves the Seagulls a galling seven points adrift of safety, but McGhee's young side showed they are still up for the fight with another battling display.

The lively Lee Cook created the hosts' first opening, neatly evading a couple of weak Brighton challenges shooting narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Marc Nygaard, back in the home side in place of the injured Paul Furlong, then fired over the top from Ainsworth's curling cross with Brighton looking distinctly wobbly at the back.

And the visitors found themselves behind in the 13th minute when Cook was given all the time he needed to plant the ball onto the head of Ainsworth, who gave keeper Wayne Henderson no chance from six yards.

A brief foray into the opposition half culminated in Seb Carole firing straight at Paul Jones, but Brighton were soon on the back foot again and Ainsworth went close with an overhead kick before Gallen forced a save from Henderson with a low drive.

Carole saw another long-range effort saved by Jones and Colin Kazim-Richards shot tamely wide as Brighton mustered some resistance, but Rangers finished the opening period the stronger with Gallen going closest to doubling their advantage with a header late on.

The second half began in controversial fashion when Gallen was dismissed for appearing to push McShane in the face, referee Tony Leake having no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card to the experienced striker.

McGhee threw on veteran full-back Jason Dodd for his first appearance since October in place of Adam El-Abd, who had been given a torrid afternoon by Ainsworth, while teenage striker Joe Gatting replaced Carole.

The visitors survived a scare when Guy Butters was forced into a goal-line clearance after Henderson mistimed an attempted punch from Ainsworth's cross.

Adam Hinshelwood headed over and a Kazim-Richards free-kick was deflected wide as the Seagulls pushed for an equaliser.

Rangers remained a threat on the break and substitute Shabazz Baidoo fizzed a shot narrowly over while Ainsworth forced a scrambling save from Henderson with a long-range effort.

But the Seagulls drew level in the 80th minute when Gatting, still searching for his first senior goal, pressured Bignot into heading past Jones, who had come out to collect Hart's high ball.

Baidoo could have earned three points for Rangers in stoppage time, but took an air shot in front of goal to preserve a point for the visitors.

Teams

QPR Jones, Bignot, Shittu, Evatt, Milanese, Ainsworth,Bircham, Lomas, Cook (Baidoo 62), Gallen, Nygaard (Youssouf 62).

Subs Not Used: Royce, Santos, Langley.

Sent Off: Gallen (50).

Booked: Baidoo.

Goals: Ainsworth 13.

Brighton Henderson, Hinshelwood, McShane, Butters,El-Abd (Dodd 55), Carole (Gatting 58), Hammond, Carpenter,Frutos (Loft 65), Hart, Kazim-Richards.

Subs Not Used: Martin, Reid.

Booked: El-Abd, Hart.

Goals: Bignot 80 og.

Att: 13,907

Ref: A Leake (Lancashire).