Craig Mackail-Smith wants to score the winning goal in the play-off final for Albion to make full amends for 13 months of injury misery.

The striker has targeted an even bigger reward after coming off the bench late on to set up Leo Ulloa’s injury-time winner at Nottingham Forest, which squeezed the Seagulls into the play-offs and a semi-final against Derby County.

Mackail-Smith, who only returned last month from long-term Achilles and ankle injuries, supplied a pinpoint cross for Ulloa to head home and pinch sixth spot from Reading.

He told The Argus: “Hopefully there are three more games and maybe I can score in the play-off final.

“That would make up for the time out but to be involved at this point of the season and have an influence in the last game of the season is more than I could have thought of really six or seven months ago.

“So I’ve got to appreciate how far I have come and just look forward to the game on Thursday now.”

Mackail-Smith is likely to be on the bench again for Thursday’s first leg against Derby at the Amex (7.45pm) following his crucial cameo role at the City Ground.

He said: “I knew I would be back (this season) but I knew it would be really difficult to get myself into the team, because they have been doing well, in and around the play-offs.

“Obviously I want to play 90 minutes as much as I can and I can’t do that, because the boys are doing so well. I’ve just got to take my time, be sensible and just do as much as I can and contribute as much as I can when I come off the bench.”

Right-back Bruno (groin) and midfielder Dale Stephens are both major doubts for the Derby clash after missing the win at Forest.