To escape relegation Albion must recapture the form at Withdean that made them practically unbeatable on their way to consecutive championships.

The Seagulls' dismal record at their modest temporary home is the main reason they are propping up the rest ahead of Saturday's south coast showdown against leaders Portsmouth.

So far they have only managed successive victories against Bradford and Derby during November in an unlucky 13 home outings.

Eight defeats is almost as many as they suffered in the first three seasons at Withdean put together.

It is easily the worst home record in Division One. Away from Brighton, inspired perhaps by superior surroundings, Albion's performances have generally been much better.

They have a point more from a game more away, have picked up as many points on the road as Bradford and Walsall and more than Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday.

The common theory at the start of the season was that Albion's survival would revolve around a remarkable home record which yielded 36 victories, seven draws and just three defeats when they won Divisions Three and Two.

Former Portsmouth defender Robbie Pethick admitted: "It hasn't really worked out like that and I don't really know why. The lads are playing well.

"We just need the rub of the green. I think we need one to go in off somebody's backside to get us going."

Boss Steve Coppell believes the unhelpful transformation in Albion's fortunes at Withdean is due to the quality of the opposition.

"I think against a better class of opposition you get teams capable of quietening things down," he said.

"Then you know, with the quality of certain individuals in this division, that sooner or later during the course of 90 minutes they are either going to create their own opportunity or get on the end of an opportunity created for them.

"That extra level of finishing in this division has found us out a few times at home.

"A lot of teams are more comfortable playing away. It's up to the home team to take the initiative, create things and play with high energy.

"When you are forever pushing to go forward you inevitably leave gaps at the back.

"When you're away from home you know you've got to be solid at the back, you don't take so many chances and you can look a lot more accomplished."

There are plenty of accomplished players in the Portsmouth ranks, headed by the mercurial Paul Merson.

Times have changed since Pethick spent six seasons at Fratton Park in the First Division, making 189 appearances, but he is confident Albion can turn the table on its head and avenge their 4-2 defeat at Pompey in August.

"I only know a few of the coaching staff down there now," he said. "They are a good side and they have got a training ground a little bit like Withdean, so I suppose they will feel at home.

"But I don't think they'll fancy coming down here. If the fans get behind us I think we can turn them over.

"We made a couple of mistakes there and got punished for them, but we scored two ourselves away from home which isn't bad. We've just got to be tighter at the back."

Pethick will have a big part to play in shutting his old club out. Albion have been a lot meaner since the 32-year-old recovered from a broken bone in his foot and Coppell brought him back into the team as a third central defender at Wolves in November.

"I have played in there a few times in my career before at Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers," he said.

"I'm enjoying it at the moment. I am playing regularly and doing okay. I haven't had many regular runs in the side and all I want to do is keep on playing for as long as I can."

The fans will also have a big part to play in Albion pulling off a shock victory. Saturday's match is the first at Withdean since Steve Sidwell's late double salvaged a draw against Burnley three weeks ago.

Both Coppell and former captain Charlie Oatway were critical of supporters in the south stand after that game.

Pethick said: "We need them to get behind us, of course we do, but they have every right to get on our backs. We are bottom of the League but if they stick with us I'm sure we can get through it."

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