Albion - We're still in the race

The combative midfielder believes the Seagulls are still capable of claiming another 15 points after last Saturday's drab 0-0 draw at struggling Exeter.

"It was six games left and we were aiming for six wins. Now it is five and we are aiming for five wins," said Oatway. "The boys have got the confidence to do it. At the end of the day we weren't beaten at Exeter. A point didn't really help us that much, but we have got into the habit of not losing games."

Albion, undefeated for nine matches, bid for their first double of the season against table-topping Rotherham at Withdean on Saturday. Oatway was on the scoresheet when the Seagulls won 3-1 at Millmoor at Christmas and he sees no reason why they cannot stage a repeat.

"We went there and beat them, so we are confident," he said. "The only thing that has changed since then is that we are playing better, so are looking for three points."

Northampton, one of the teams Albion were hoping to catch, won their game in hand 1-0 at Carlisle last night to move nine points clear of the Seagulls.

Albion lost 3-0 to a strong Southampton reserve side in a friendly at Marchwood training ground yesterday. Martin Ling, Warren Aspinall and Chris McPhee, all used as substitutes at Exeter, came through the run-out, but Paul Armstrong suffered a groin problem.

Meanwhile, Albion are giving season ticket holders priority for the last away match of the season. The Seagulls have been allocated 2,000 seats and terrace places for the all-ticket clash against relegation-threatened Shrewsbury at Gay Meadow on April 29.

Tickets, priced between £5 and £10, go on sale to season ticket holders only next Tuesday from 10am, then 24 hours later for all other supporters.

They can be purchased in person or by post from the ticket office, 5 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 3WA, or via the credit card hotline on 01273 776992.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.