Aston Villa huffed and puffed until minute 90 but it wasn't their day as Dean Smith's side suffered a third successive home defeat.
Danny Welbeck opened the scoring having found himself completely unmarked from the halfway line. A calm chip over Emiliano Martinez gave the Seagulls a surprise 0-1 lead.
Seconds into the second half and Villa got a much-deserved equaliser. Bertrand Traoré whipped in a wonderful free-kick and Ezri Konsa thumped home a brilliant volley.
Poor defending by the home side allowed Solly March to produce a right-footed finish into the top corner. It was end to end action.
Despite Villa's best efforts, it wasn't their day - a penalty overturned and many chances missed left the midlands side empty-handed.
Barkley Blow
Ross Barkley came off injured after feeling a twinge to his hamstring. The significance of the injury is yet to be known - and Smith couldn't provide a prognosis on the 26-year-old but said: "Ross didn't feel it was as bad as they can be but he'll have to wait for a scan."
This forced Villa into an early change, meaning summer signing Traoré was asked to play in a central role. He added flair into Villa's game, however, at times Jack Grealish was heavily relied on.
Naivety at the back
Saturday's defeat means Villa have now conceded 11 goals at home this season; a complete contrast to their away form. There is no doubt that the side has improved defensively this year but it's about balance.
Brighton's first goal was a prime example of what happens when you play a high-line. The back four got caught chasing Welbeck, leaving the Englishman one on one with the goalkeeper.
As for Brighton's second, it was poor positioning that cost the team. Douglas Luiz could have dropped in while Matty Cash didn't have the legs to close down March's strike.
Smith will want to fine-tune the errors ahead of a heavy fixture list in December.
Take your chances
The midlands side could and should have put the game to bed in the first half. Egyptian winger Trezeguet had a golden opportunity; he blasted it over the bar. Tyrone Mings had a brilliant heading chance but instead, he opted to volley the ball, forcing Mat Ryan into a goal-line clearance. If that wasn't enough, in-form Ollie Watkins missed a tap in minutes before the break.
VAR controversy
Villa almost rescued a draw in the dying moments. Michael Oliver pointed to the spot as goalscorer March clipped Trezeguet in the box. At last, Villa got their golden opportunity...but no, Oliver later overturned the penalty after reviewing his decision on the monitor.
Ezri Konsa felt aggrieved when speaking to Villa TV, saying that 'VAR doesn't make sense'.
The decision summed up Villa's day as a whole.