Albion boss Micky Adams is urging his players to shrug off the unfamiliar hurt of defeat.

The second-placed Seagulls resume their promotion challenge on Saturday with a trip to lowly Mansfield.

The Field Mill fixture follows only Albion's second defeat in 20 matches in the FA Cup at Scunthorpe.

It also launches a crucial burst of six League games in the space of three weeks, which could have a major bearing on their chances.

"It does hurt losing," Adams said. "It's a feeling our players have not experienced too often this season.

"Good teams bounce back and I wouldn't bet against them. That defeat has upset them."

Albion's only other defeat since the end of August was at table-topping Chesterfield.

They have responded to that last-gasp setback by taking 16 points out of a possible 18 and now Adams is hoping for something similar over the next six matches.

"The Christmas period is important," he said. "There are a lot of games in a short space of time.

"We have got to show the same mental resolve as after the Chesterfield game."

Danny Cullip's training has been restricted this week by the recurrence of a calf knock, but Adams expects the defender to be fit.

Albion discover before the Mansfield clash their opponents in the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy. The draw takes place on Saturday morning.

Albion will bring in the new in 2001 by taking to the field in a special kit to mark the club's centenary season.

To celebrate the unique landmark in Brighton & Hove Albion's history, the club are planning a number of special events in 2001, including the issue of a special centenary football strip.

The strip, in the Albion's traditional blue and white stripes, will feature the town crests of Brighton and Hove and the dates of the centenary 1901-2001 in gold.

Fans will get their first glimpse of the players in the kit on New Year's Day when Albion entertain Southend at Withdean. The team will where the kit for the calendar year of 2001, reverting back to the existing blue and white strip from January 1, 2002.

Chairman Dick Knight said: "We are a family club and I hope everyone, especially our young fans, will enjoy wearing our highly attractive, centenary kit as we celebrate the Albion's glorious past and look forward to a bright future."

Replica versions of the strip will be available for fans although, due to delivery timescales, the kits are unlikely to be in the club shop until early February.