Dean Hammond vowed today that Albion will stick together in the battle to beat the drop.

The Seagulls are still five points adrift of Championship safety with nine games left as they prepare for promotion-chasing Preston's visit on Saturday.

Time is running out but Hammond believes Mark McGhee's strugglers just need a bit of luck after losing 1-0 at Plymouth, their sixth defeat in a row.

"It's been going that way lately," Hammond said. "Before the goal we dominated the game yet again, like we have over recent weeks, but it's just not going our way at the moment.

"We've had a a few chances that haven't gone in. We need a bit of luck and maybe it will start changing."

Hammond helped Albion stay up last season when he scored four goals in the last nine games.

"You just have to be strong and think your luck is going to change," said the midfielder. "As long as we stick together then we'll be fine.

"If we all start pulling apart that's when things go wrong but that won't happen.

"People are saying we've been unlucky but maybe we've had a bit of luck in that Sheffield Wednesday and the other teams aren't pulling away.

"There are still nine games left and we have still got to play them, so it's in our hands really. If we can play the way we are playing and maybe get a few more goals then we will be okay."

Preston will go three points clear in the quest for a play-off place if they win at Plymouth tonight.

Meanwhile, Albion were singled out for a commendation at the Four Four Two Football League Awards Ceremony.

The Seagulls were nominated in the Most Admired Club category, and along with Norwich, received a special mention for the ongoing battle for survival and fight for Falmer.

Crewe won for their consistent development of young players, while Preston's David Nugent took the young player prize.