Albion boss Oscar Garcia told his players the play-offs would be in their hands BEFORE pipping Reading.

And the psychic Spaniard knew Leo Ulloa would come up trumps when the chance came in injury time to snatch victory at Nottingham Forest and leapfrog Reading.

The Seagulls needed to better Reading’s result at home to Burnley to edge above them into sixth.

Reading’s game had almost ended in a 2-2 draw when Ulloa headed in substitute Craig Mackail-Smith’s cross deep into stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory at the City Ground.

Albion had been 1-0 down at the break before Stephen Ward levelled but Oscar revealed: “In the second half I had the feeling we would score. The players knew before the game – I said to them I had the feeling it would be in our hands.

“In the second half I wanted to know the score (at Reading) because then tactically I had to change some players. I want to thank Burnley and Nottingham Forest for being so professional.”

Oscar inherited 16-goal hero Ulloa from previous manager Gus Poyet, who bought the Argentinian from Spanish club Almeria.

Oscar said: “He is the kind of player who might not be having his best game but he is always a threat and always in the right place.

“I knew he was a top goalscorer, a threat from every ball into the box. He is helping us a lot, not only scoring goals but in defence as well.”

Albion face third-placed Derby in the play-offs. The first leg is at the Amex on Thursday (7.45pm), with the away leg Sunday (5.15pm).