Brighton and Hove Albion supporters face a nightmare journey to Sunday's Second Division play-off final.

Thousands of people heading for Cardiff will have to cram on to scheduled rail services, jostle for space with rival Bristol City fans or face a gruelling trip on heavily congested roads.

Engineering works on Sunday between Brighton and London mean early-morning trains will be subject to delays, making it difficult for passengers to get to Paddington for direct services to Cardiff.

Only those with seat reservations will be allowed on to trains leaving Paddington and most of the reservations have gone.

Rail companies have refused to put on extra services, forcing the majority of supporters on to the notorious M4 before facing gridlock as they drive into the Welsh capital.

Wessex Trains, the only rail company to run a direct service between Brighton and Cardiff, said it was unable to put on extra Sunday services.

A spokesman said: "We would have liked to do more but it is impossible as we do not have enough trains.

"We are basically a local rail service company and we are not geared up for one-off sporting events. We can only do what we can with the stock we have."

Other rail companies which run feeder services to routes in and out of Cardiff also said supporters would have to rely on scheduled Sunday services. The only company providing additional trains is First Great Western, between Bristol and Cardiff.

The only practical rail route to Cardiff is via Bristol and an estimated 10,000 City supporters will be travelling at the same time as Albion fans.

The only direct train from Brighton to Cardiff Central on the day of the match arrives at half-time. Fans wishing to leave travel to the last moment can risk getting the 11.55am train from Southampton to Cardiff, which arrives 15 minutes before the 3pm kick-off.

It is possible to travel via Reading in time for the kick-off, changing at Gatwick and Reading. Supporters travelling by road are urged to stagger their journeys to prevent gridlock on the M4.

Returning from Cardiff by train will be chaotic as fans rush to the station, five minutes' walk from the ground.

The only direct train to Brighton leaves at 5.30pm. Extra time or a penalty shoot-out will mean missing it.

Fans can get the 6.30pm, changing at Fratton and arriving in Brighton at 23.23.pm.

Bristol City has sold its 34,517-ticket allocation but a few of Albion's 30,000 seats remain unsold.