Brighton Cougars have been told to stay switched on defensively if they are to claim home advantage in the play-offs.

Victory at home to mid-table Brixton Topcats tonight will clinch runners-up spot in NBL division two south and keep Cougars in Sussex for the first round of the post season.

The alternative is a trek to the north west.

Coach Mike Blatchford will have to do without post player James Ashcombe, who is away, but is confident of getting the right result.

Cougars have been training three times a week and have been well drilled as to what they have to do to stop the Topcats.

Blatchford said: "Brixton are pretty quick and they challenge you with the ball.

"They will not pass you to death, they will attack you.

"They try to identify the single defender and go at him.

"We need to make sure our defence is aware of the ball and people are ready to help when needed and be able to defend one-on-one.

"I'm confident. I have had a good look at Brixton and I think we are ready to defend what they do.

"It's the sort of game which will come down to the last four or five minutes."

The game takes place at Portslade Leisure Centre (8pm) and is preceded by junior action.

Worthing Magic overcame a competitive Cardiff side 74-62 to stay in contention for runners-up spot in WNBL South.

Cardiff have not won a game all season but were 19-14 up at the end of the first quarter.

Sarah Cooper and Louise Waghorn provided some vital scoring as their side led 34-33 at the half.

Assistant coach CJ Lee, running the show as head coach Phil Waghorn served a one-match ban, urged his team to get to the basket and move the ball more in the second half.

It helped bring them a 52-46 lead at the end of third period and good work inside by Lynne Powell saw them pull further away.

Magic go to play-off rivals London Towers today (3.30pm).

Danny Midgley admits he was "very disappointed" to crash out of the Sunrise Conference play-offs in the last eight.

The former Brighton Bear, who plays for UMM Clippers in Machias, Maine, said: "It has been a very hard season, lots of ups and downs.

"Now it's back to the gym, lifting weights five times a week, shooting every day and playing in some men's league tournaments most weekends.

"I am very disappointed with results and with the overall season.

"Unfortunately my stats do not show how much I have improved because I played in a lot of games when I was injured and I obviously didn't play too many minutes.

"That hurts me a little but I'm using it as motivation.

"We will make the final four next year and I'm starting to work on my own game now."

Improved speed and ball handling plus another 10-15lb of muscle are Midgley's main targets.

Richard Midgley lost his starting spot as California Golden Bears ended their home programme in the Pac-10 with an 80-72 win over Arizona State.

He hit five of his six free throws in an eight-point haul.

Cal visit Stanford in the early hours of tomorrow morning our time with the winners guaranteed second spot in the conference.

Former Brighton Bears star Albert White has helped Rockford Lightning win the American Conference title in the CBA. White averages 22.1 points per game but was held to eight in the clash with his former club Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Sussex Sonics are through to the League Cup semi-final after a 56-25 win over Storm II. The county's disabled team beat Hampshire Harriers 52-24 in their latest league game as well.