Former Albion boss and captain Brian Horton has urged the players to "keep believing" as they battle to beat the drop.

Horton was at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday for the 1-0 defeat by relegation rivals Stoke.

He has delivered a message of hope about the Seagulls' survival prospects.

"It's going to be three out of four unless Bradford get sucked in," Horton said.

"Brighton have just got to keep going and keep believing.

"I felt they were unlucky not to get a point. They shaded the first half and had two decent chances from headers for Rougier and Cullip, who I thought defended very well.

"The two substitutes livened the game up for Stoke in the second half and made a difference, but I thought a draw would probably have been a fair result.

"I heard Steve's (Coppell) comments. He said it was a semi-decent performance but they didn't work the keeper enough and that was spot on.

"Dave Beasant's punching was magnificent at the other end and he did well.

"They all work very hard for each other, so you can see why they have been getting points. Zamora is always a threat and they have got to try and utilise Rougier's pace."

Rougier played under Horton at Port Vale, Stoke's bitter Potteries rivals.

Horton faces a relegation battle of his own at crisis-torn Vale. Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Notts County sent them into the drop zone in the Second Division.

"It has been my toughest season of my career," Horton said. "It has knocked everyone since we went into administration.

"It's easy for people to say it shouldn't affect the football, but sub-consciously players are worrying and it does put a dampener on the club.

"There is endless speculation about my future and I've had to switch off from that.

"Football is almost secondary now. Finances and the media dictate and it's getting harder and harder for young managers.

"Terry Fenwick lasted seven games at Northampton, my old Brighton team-mate Neil McNab 20 at Exeter.

"I still love it mind you! I went to Macclesfield and Chester Reserves on Wednesday afternoon, then Stoke.

"I have always been a positive person and I feel we can get out of our situation. It's ridiculously close. Any of the bottom 12 can go down."

Andy Naylor andy.naylor@theargus.co.uk