History is on Albion's side

But logic suggests the Seagulls have already kissed goodbye to their hopes.

Micky Adams' men can still total 71 points if they win their remaining four matches.

That has been enough to make the final play-off place in each of the three seasons since Albion were relegated to the Third Division.

Adams' old club Swansea did it with 71 points last season. Barnet had 70 in 1997-98 and Cardiff only 69 in 1996-97.

It all sounds pretty clearcut. The reality, however, is rather different as Adams acknowledges.

"We can all sit down with our calculators and think about what we need," he said. "But it's up to the players to win the games."

Albion have a tough run-in, starting with Saturday's visit to sixth-bottom York.

They are the other form team in the division, with a seven-match undefeated run under new manager Terry Dolan.

Peterborough, the visitors to Withdean next Wednesday, are just two points and a place outside automatic promotion after Tuesday's 2-1 win at Rochdale.

The Seagulls do at least have a psychological advantage over Barry Fry's side, having beaten them once and drawn twice in three League and FA Cup meetings so far this season.

Albion's final two fixtures are against teams desperate for points for different reasons.

Shrewsbury, their hosts on April 29, dropped to the bottom of the table last Saturday.

Carlisle, who come to Withdean on the last day of the season on May 6, are only two places and three points better off.

It could be another cliffhanging finale for the Cumbrians. They escaped last season with a last-gasp goal by keeper Jimmy Glass and were ironically relegated with Albion from the Second Division in 1995-96 when the Seagulls lost the replay of their abandoned game against York at the Goldstone.

The Albion players are refusing to throw in the towel. They still believe they might have a chance themselves come the final day.

Former Carlisle winger Rod Thomas said: "Confidence has been high recently with the ten-game unbeaten run, so we are going to try and make it 14.

"The season is not over yet and hopefully a few other results will go for us.

"We can win all four games without a doubt. No matches are easy in this division, but we will be positive and you never know what can happen."

A top ten finish, Adams' private target at the start of the season, is probably the best Albion can hope for now.