(Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion boosted their chances of staying in the Premier League after battling to a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
After 18th-placed Cardiff City lost at Fulham, Brighton earned a point that left them four clear of the relegation zone with two matches remaining.
Ayoze Perez put Newcastle in front in the 18th minute with a fine finish and the home side rarely offering anything in response for the remainder of the half.
Brighton did improve after the break and got their reward after 75 minutes when Pascal Gross headed in their first goal in eight matches in all competitions to equalise, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Brighton striker Glenn Murray had a glorious late opportunity to win the match, but headed over from close range.
With Arsenal and Manchester City to play, Brighton are not safe, but possess a far superior goal difference to Cardiff, who now need to win both their final games to have a chance of survival. Newcastle remained comfortable in 13th.
(Reporting by Peter Hall, editing by Ed Osmond)