Albion captain Danny Cullip is predicting another white-knuckle ride for the rest of the season.

The Seagulls' fight for First Division survival went to the bitter end and Cullip believes it will be the same story in the congested race for promotion from the Second Division.

The top 13 teams are divided by only seven points as Albion prepare for the visit of fellow challengers Bristol City on Saturday.

Cullip said: "There were a lot of teams with money to spend when we were last in the Second Division.

"This time I think it is going to be a very open league and it's going to go right down to the wire.

"The last two promotions we've had we won by six points and ten odd points, but it is going to be very close all the way down to the last month of the season.

"There could be seven or eight teams vying for if not the top two then definitely the play-offs.

"It is a strange division. Anyone can beat anyone on their day and to take one point from four games like we have and still be up there is good from our point of view.

"If you ask a lot of teams they will say on their day they are capable of beating anyone. It's all about which teams have that day more often than not."

Results in the FA Cup last weekend emphasised Division Two is much of a muchness.

Albion, well beaten at Third Division Lincoln, were not the only ones on the wrong end of an upset. Plymouth, Port Vale, Stockport, Rushden and Diamonds, Swindon and QPR were all defeated or held by opponents below them in the same or a lower league.

Cullip has seen little to fear so far. He derives comfort from the fact that the Seagulls were not even in top form when they were winning regularly in the first couple of months of the campaign.

"Swindon played very well against us," he said. "We didn't play well that day but we got a draw.

"We were 3-1 up at Plymouth, who are a very strong side, but it has not been fluent football for any of us.

"We've had a few clean sheets, but we had a tonking at Brentford which none of us were very happy about.

"We are all going to improve. The best is definitely yet to come.

"We haven't played as fluently as we would have liked, but this division doesn't allow you to do that sometimes.

"More often than not you are going to have to win the battle first, which is what this division is all about."

Mark McGhee's appointment has not induced an instant return to winning ways for Albion, but Cullip is encouraged by the Scot's detailed approach to the task in hand.

The talismanic central defender said: "It's good to get the managerial situation sorted out for the whole club.

"He is a very experienced person. He knows this league inside out and the next league up.

"His teams were always hard to play against: organised, fit and love to get at you.

"Hopefully he is going to bring that to us and we can crack on from here. He also seems very big on preparation, which is good."

History is against Albion. Only six of the 21 teams relegated from the First Division over the course of the last seven seasons have bounced straight back to finish in at least a play-off position.

Crewe last season are the only side to have gone back up automatically.

"It is not easy to do, but that is our aim," Cullip said. "Ask any of the teams relegated, regardless of which division. You want to get straight back."

To achieve that the Seagulls will need to maintain their formidable record at Withdean.

The club have introduced a mini season ticket package for the 11 home League matches in the New Year.

Prices range from £220 for adults in the south-east stand and south-west wing to £230 in the south stand centre and singing section.

The deal, also open to senior citizens and under 16's at lower prices, is launched by Oldham's visit to Withdean on January 10.

It includes the game against Plymouth on January 31, which is now a 5.35pm kick-off because of live coverage on Sky.

Applications forms are available from the ticket office at 5 Queens Road, Brighton, either in person or by post.

The envelope should be marked '11 match package' in the top lefthand corner and a stamped, self-addressed envelope enclosed.

Applications for the visit of Port Vale on Friday December 12 must be made by November 27.