BRIGHTON, England (Kyodo) -- Kaoru Mitoma scored for the second match in a row Friday, helping Brighton and Hove Albion climb to second in the English Premier League table with a 1-1 draw against a Southampton side featuring Japan teammate Yukinari Sugawara.

Mitoma found the net in the 29th minute, but it was not enough to secure all three points for the hosts after Flynn Downes struck back for Southampton in the 59th minute.

Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton failed to capitalize on their early dominance and nearly paid a heavy price when last-place Southampton appeared to take a 2-1 lead through Cameron Archer, whose goal was wiped off by the video assistant referee with a contentious offside ruling.

Mitoma almost put Brighton on the board with an early counterattacking attempt that skidded just wide of the post. The Samurai Blue winger made the breakthrough soon after, evading marker Sugawara and scoring with a diving header off Tariq Lamptey's right-wing cross.

"I had to cover some distance, but I had time to think and felt a header was the best option," Mitoma said.

Sugawara, who joined Saints from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar in the summer, lamented coming off second best against his compatriot.

"In the Premier League, you can be beaten in an instant like that," he said. "Seeing Kaoru taking advantage of that opportunity, I really felt his quality as a player."

With 23 points from 13 matches, Brighton provisionally moved into second place on goal difference, having played one more game than the other sides in the title race.

Southampton remained in last place, with just five points from their 13 games.