STEVE Cotterill asked his players for a performance against Brighton - and got half of his wish!

The very term 'game of two halves' was invented with this meeting in mind as, for the first 45 minutes, the Turf Moor faithful were treated to a half as free-flowing and eye-catching as anything seen all season long.

Burnley players zipped the ball from boot to boot and the result was a wholly one-sided contest that carved out an absolute plethora of chances - arguably more in that one half than we've seen in many 90 minutes!

However, only Ade Akinbiyi's goal separated the sides and the boot was firmly on the other foot after the break as Albion, fighting for their lives, halted the tide and ground out a result courtesy of Dean Hammond's leveller.

When the final whistle finally brought a breathless game to a close, a point apeice reflected that pendulum swing, but there's no doubt the Burnley boss was more disappointed than opposite number Mark McGhee at his side's failure to pick up all three.

Starting in such ascendancy meant Burnley really should have put the game out of Brighton's reach.

And if McGhee's side maintain their Championship status on goal difference, they might look back on that first half as key.

Tony Grant and Dean Bowditch were restored to the starting line-up as Cotterill shuffled his pack and it was the former, pouring forward from deep, who first came close to picking Brighton's lock after only seven minutes.

James O'Connor picked off a loose ball and sprinted forward before sliding the ball inside for Grant, who looked to be blocked off on the edge of the penalty area as he waltzed around Richard Carpenter, only for referee Scott Mathieson to ignore his protestations.

O'Connor soon began to pull the strings in a crowded midfield and the Dubliner was again the architect when the Clarets created their best opening in the 20th minute.

He found Duff on the right and when the cross was floated deep to the far post, Graham Branch rose above Akinbiyi to power in a downward header that Blayney just smuggled round the post.

But two minutes later, after Burnley had enjoyed an embarrassing amount of possession, the two big men combined to give the Clarets a fully deserved lead.

This time it was Bowditch with the perfect delivery from the right wing and Branch with a cushioned header into Akinbiyi's path.

Burnley's recent £600,000 signing must have been dreaming of chances like this since arriving and he duly made no mistake, stooping to guide a neat header past the on-loan Southampton stopper and just inside the post.

Mo Camara almost doubled the lead soon after with a well drilled free kick from 25 yards that Blayney held well.

By now it was one-way traffic and ragged Albion almost gifted the Clarets a second after Grant pounced on a loose ball to release Branch, who was only denied by Blayney's agility as the keeper rushed from his line to make a terrific block.

The procession continued unabated and O'Connor was next in line, sidefooting Duff's drilled cross just wide inside the six-yard box when he perhaps should have scored.

Akinbiyi was just denied when Blayney raced from his area and, as as half time approached, yet another cultured move ended with Branch dinking a cross to the far post, where Grant - enjoying acres of room - volleyed into the side netting.

Albion had to change something at the break to try to get a foothold in the game and they replaced the static Mark McCammon with young striker Jake Robinson.

And within seven minutes, the Seagulls grabbed the lifeline they craved. Moments earlier, Blayney had kept the game within the Seagulls reach by arching backwards to fingertip a looping Branch header onto the top of the crossbar.

And that precious save was rewarded when Paul Reid sold Camara a dummy, raced into the box and cut the ball back into the six-yard box for Hammond to gleefully hammer the ball into the top corner.

Hammond was within a whisker of completing a remarkable turnaround just moments later, heading Richard Carpenter's free kick against the outside of Danny Coyne's post with the Welshman well beaten.

Coyne then batted away Carpenter's fierce drive and Hammond, who by now could have had a second half hat-trick, flashed a shot across goal as Burnley's bizarre second half wobble continued.

In contrast, Brighton knew the three points they needed were now up for grabs and they looked to break at every opportunity.

However, Akinbiyi should have punished them for a moment of hesitancy when Guy Butters failed to clear Bowditch's cross.

However, with Albion fearing the worst, the striker somehow fired wide from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy.

That was the last time either goalkeeper was troubled as Albion, probably aware of results elsewhere, began to appreciate that a point was precious in their predicament.

Burnley, meanwhile struggled to rediscover their first half zest.

Maybe now, tomorrow's home game with QPR will bring the 90 minute performance the manager is expecting.