Kandol, who replaced Neil Kilnenny in the 76th minute, should have scored when he latched on to Jermaine Beckford's cross from the left, but his shot was too tame.
Leeds had most of the possession until the later stages when Brighton threatened without forcing a breakthrough.
With just two defeats from their last 11 games and impressive wins over Walsall and Doncaster, Brighton arrived at Elland Road with high hopes of their first win there since 1985.
Meanwhile, with just two of their remaining seven matches at home, Leeds badly needed the points.
Leeds had a series of early corners and it needed a desperate goalline clearance from Andy Whing to keep out Dougie Freedman's 14th minute shot from 15 yards.
Freedman, on loan from Crystal Palace, was unfortunate soon afterwards when he rolled Bradley Johnson's low cross fractionally wide of the far post.
Brighton had Therry Racon filling the hole between defence and midfield to reduce the supply to Freedman and Beckford, but the ploy was at the expense of their own effectiveness as an attacking force.
Jonny Howson provided the guile in Leeds' midfield and the youngster went close on several occasions.
Glenn Murray had the ball in Leeds' net on 63 minutes only to be flagged offside and, when substitute Jonathon Douglas made a clumsy challenge on Murray , Brighton's penalty claims were waved aside.
Brighton deserved their point for defensive stability, but with five of their remaining seven matches away from home Leeds have some catching up to do.