If the law of averages has anything to do with it then Mark McGhee is surely about to guide Albion past Swindon to the play-off final at Cardiff.

The end-of-season lottery has been terribly cruel so far to the Seagulls' Glaswegian supremo.

McGhee is hoping for divine intervention to make it fourth time lucky after missing out twice as a manager and once as a player.

"When I was in charge at Millwall we drew one each at Birmingham and then lost at home in the last minute," he said. "Dion Dublin missed a decent chance before they scored.

"At Wolves we lost 3-1 at Crystal Palace and then beat them 2-1 at home.

"I also played in the play-offs for Newcastle when we lost to Sunderland, which I can assure you wasn't pleasant.

"That was the season when Sunderland played Swindon and Swindon weren't allowed to go up, because of the betting scandal. I am due a final at least, that's for sure. The second leg is next Thursday and that is my birthday (he will be 47). Surely God wouldn't do that, not on my birthday!"

Albion, of course, have only been involved in the play-offs once before, in 1991, when they were beaten in the final by Notts County at Wembley.

McGhee's old club were no match for them in the semi-finals on that occasion.

Millwall were mauled 4-1 at the Goldstone in the first leg which, like the Swindon tie, was played on a Sunday. Barry Lloyd's side also won the away leg 2-1 to cruise through 6-2 on aggregate.

McGhee does not envisage such a convincing repeat. "One of the things I have been hyping up with the players is that we have got to be prepared to win 1-0," he revealed.

"We cannot go into the play-offs thinking we are going to be three nothing up and it's all over.

"We have got to be prepared to go the distance, so the Bristol City game last month (0-0) and even the last home game against Notts County (1-0) were good lessons. We have got to have the bottle to be patient, concentrate and be prepared to win 1-0 over two legs, because I think it could come down to that.

"We have even got to be prepared to win on penalties if we have to. We are not a free-scoring team and the sooner we admit that and realise that the better."

Last Saturday's closing 2-0 victory at Wrexham was only Albion's fifth away from Withdean this season.

Their 11 defeats on the road included a 2-1 reverse at Swindon just after Christmas, but neither of those factors concern McGhee in the context of Sunday's first leg at the County Ground.

"Our record away from home this season doesn't hold any fears for me in terms of the situation we are now going into," he said. "It's a new ball game."

The form of teams going into the play-offs is, he believes, is of far greater relevance.

Albion took 20 points from their last ten League games, double Swindon's return over the corresponding period.

"If you arrive, as we have, feeling that you have done well to get there, with a little bit of form and a couple of convincing results, then you go in buoyant with an attitude that you can beat anyone in the play-offs," McGhee said.

"I don't think we are feeling jaded at this stage, either physically or mentally.

"It has taken a long time to get into any sort of gear and to believe we were capable of getting promoted. Now the lads are relishing that.

"I think we have found a little bit of form at the right time. Mentally there is a freshness about the players, which is very important."

McGhee is exuding quiet confidence, but that natural Celtic caution is still very much in tact.

There will be no wild celebrations, not even if Albion overcome Swindon. The corks are staying in the champagne bottles until the end of the month.

"There will only be one party as far as I am concerned and that will be for promotion," he said. "Success these days isn't about getting to the play-offs.

"It isn't even about getting to Cardiff, all be it that is a good day out for supporters.

"Nothing else counts but promotion, so there will be no partying in the McGhee household until we are promoted.

"I came here because I thought I was inheriting a team that had a chance of promotion and that has been borne out. We do have a chance, but we have got some hard work to do."