Alexander Isak's late penalty snatched a potentially vital point for Newcastle United in their quest for UEFA Champions League qualification, as they drew 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

Isak stroked home in the 89th minute after Brighton substitute Yasin Ayari blocked Fabian Schar's free-kick with his arm, keeping Newcastle in fourth, above Chelsea, who beat Liverpool 3-1, on goals scored only, ahead of the Magpies and the Blues facing off at St James' Park next weekend.

Yankuba Minteh had earlier showed his former club what they were missing with a well-taken opener 28 minutes into an otherwise quiet first half at Amex Stadium.

Newcastle then saw two second-half penalties overturned – a VAR check finding Tariq Lamptey's foul on Anthony Gordon took place outside the area before it was deemed that Joe Willock had dived under pressure from Jan Paul van Hecke.

However, the third penalty decision proved a gut-wrenching blow for Brighton, who sit 10th, having fallen behind Brentford and AFC Bournemouth in the hunt for a potential European place.

How the match unfolded

Bart Verbruggen touched wide from Harvey Barnes after a mix-up between Van Hecke and Mats Wieffer, before Willock's driving run ended with a poked effort over the target.

However, Brighton struck first when Minteh danced around two tackles to the right of the area and fired past the unsighted Nick Pope, aided by a slight Dan Burn deflection.

Eddie Howe responded by sending on Gordon shortly after the interval and that change almost paid dividends when Lamptey felled the winger, only for a VAR check to recommend a free-kick rather than penalty.

Willock was cautioned for simulation after the VAR recommended an onfield review, with referee Craig Pawson deeming Van Hecke to have made minimal contact that was not sufficient for a penalty.

It was a case of third time lucky for Newcastle when Ayari dangled an arm at Schar's free-kick, though both sides could have stolen it at the death.

Diego Gomez headed a glorious chance wide from Brajan Gruda's free-kick before Callum Wilson saw a fierce effort tipped over by Verbruggen.

Minteh magic in vain

Brighton were slow to get going and hardly looked like a side inspired by a stoppage-time winner last time out in the Premier League, courtesy of Carlos Baleba’s stunner against West Ham United.

Another moment of individual magic sparked the Amex into life, however, as Minteh left both Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali in his tracks before steering into the left-hand corner to do the damage against the club that sold him last year.

A surging Baleba run then allowed Minteh more room just four minutes after the interval, though his teasing cross was cleared by Schar with Danny Welbeck lurking.

Minteh saw another effort parried away by Pope from a tight angle at the other end before Newcastle finally hit back.

Hurzeler will have to pick his side back up before next Saturday's visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers, as they continue their battle with Bournemouth, Brentford and Fulham for possible European qualification.

Isak rescues Newcastle

Newcastle came flying out the blocks even without injured midfielder Joelinton, whose knee issue could spell the end of his campaign.

The energetic Barnes forced an early save by Verbruggen, who also kept out Jacob Murphy's cross-shot from the other flank – but Newcastle failed to capitalise on that momentum.

Bruno Guimaraes tested Verbruggen again after Minteh's opener but Howe appeared frustrated heading into half-time.

A lack of changes did not last long into the second period, however, as Howe hauled off the largely ineffective Murphy for Gordon, whose bursting run was unfortunate to not end in a penalty from Lamptey's flailing leg.

Barnes then attempted to replicate a finish from a similar angle to Minteh's strike but Verbruggen stood firm, shortly before Willock's tumble saw another penalty decision reviewed.

A third penalty shout saved the day for the Magpies as Isak slotted home his 23rd Premier League goal this season.

With a superior goal difference to Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in sixth and seventh respectively, and chasers Chelsea to visit St James' Park next week, Isak's effort kept Newcastle's top-five hopes in their own hands.

Match reports

Brighton report | Newcastle report

Match officials

Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Timothy Wood, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Steve Martin. VAR: Andy Madley. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.