Steve Gritt believes Albion can follow Millwall's example and be a force in Division One, despite the resignation of Peter Taylor this week.

But the former Seagulls boss, who was in charge when Seagulls saved their league status at Hereford on that historic day five years ago, warned his old club: "It will be a huge step."

Gritt, assistant to Mark McGhee, just missed out on the play-off final after a last-minute defeat against Birmingham last night in their first season back in division one.

He said: "It would be a lovely bonus if Brighton could be involved in next season's play-offs but they can at least make a good impression.

"That's the positive attitude we went into this season with.

"A lot of clubs would be happy just to survive and we were asked 'do you really want to go up?' as if it has come too quickly. But you try and take the opportunities when they crop up. We've beaten the likes of Wolves, Birmingham Coventry and did the double over promoted West Brom and now we could end up in the Premiership.

"I'm sure Brighton will adopt the same attitude as we had."

Gritt, 44, know it won't be easy.

He said: "They are capable of going on to another level and have done fantastically well over the last two seasons, but the division can take you by surprise and you have to adjust swiftly. It will be a tough test. There is so much more physical pressure and you need a certain amount of experience..

"We have some fine young players, like Darren Cahill, but we've also got some old heads.

"You need a balance with proven First Division players.

"The new manager will need a definite understanding of the division. You can't come in with no idea of what it is like.

"As the club's funds are limited, they need a wheeler-dealer who can get players in and to perform. We managed to get where we are with just one signing, Darren Ward from Watford.

"Brighton have got to do it very carefully, to plot their path and not overspend. With a ground that only holds 7,000, you can't budget for astronomical wages."

Gritt has sympathy for Taylor about his decision to leave.

He said: "I can perfectly understand it. I know Peter is ambitious and was frustrated he didn't have the tools. I can relate to that from my time with the club but for different reasons, I had no money and no ground.

"I felt I needed a lot more time and opportunity to develop but I quickly discovered that wasn't going to be the case when senior pros had to be taken off the wage bill. But I'll always be grateful to the club for giving me the chance to manage. I did want to repay that loyalty but that loyalty wasn't returned."

Gritt believes the players' will be concerned about the loss of Taylor.

"The players will be very disappointed. They'd have enjoyed the way Peter coached them. I was on holiday in La Manga when England were there and he was in the national set-up and conducted well organised sessions.

"The likes of Bobby Zamora will be waiting to see who comes in. Bobby is just as ambitious as Peter and wants to get to the Premiership. That might be another problem for Brighton over the next few weeks."

Albion have got through eight managers in nine years.

Gritt said: "I hope they can get more continuity in the future."

A return to Brighton would seem a non-starter for him.

Gritt said: "I had a good rapport with the supporters. They are second to none. They thanked me for my contribution at the time I was there, but I would not claim any credit for what they've gone on to do since then.

"I'm not contemplating being a No.1. You never know what offers may come up, but I'm quite pleased with the way things are going at Millwall. Mark is pleased with me and what I do and together we have taken the club to at least two games from the Premiership."

Read why Peter Taylor quit plus all the reaction at thisisthealbion.co.uk