Nathan Jones has urged Albion to prepare for ten days of destiny in the race for the play-offs.

The Seagulls dropped back to seventh place last night as Reading drew 1-1 at home to Leicester.

But they trail Nigel Adkins’ men only on goal difference, plus-13 to plus-12, ahead of what could be a thrilling run-in.

Reading midfielder Mikele Leigertwood will miss their six-pointer at Wigan on Good Friday after being sent-off for a second bookable offence in the closing stages.

Albion are focusing on their trip to Huddersfield on the same afternoon as Championship teams face three matches in little more than a week.

Jones said: “We’ve got to keep winning. We can’t affect Reading. The only ones we can affect are Brighton and Hove Albion. We are not getting carried away. Now we’ve got to prepare and it’s ten days where destinies are made if you like.”

Stephen Ward and Matt Upson both carried knocks in the 3-0 win over Charlton on Saturday.

Jones described both as “real warriors” and added: “If they hadn’t had that desire to play, they wouldn’t have had to play.”

Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater was the man who did Albion a favour at the Madejski when his fabulous long-range strike cancelled out Alex Pearce’s headed opener.