Chris Hughton has called on his Albion players to take one small step against a top six rival - and one giant step for Albion.

The Seagulls will be over-the-moon if they beat Middlesbrough tomorrow to reach the Premier League.

They have to overcome a pattern of draws away from home against the other clubs involved in the promotion race to send the club into orbit.

Hughton's side have earned a point so far this season at Burnley, who are already up, and play-off contenders Hull, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday.

He said: "We have to go one step further. We haven't lost to that top group of teams away from home but we also haven't won.

"We played very well and perhaps should have won at Derby and we played very well at Burnley earlier in the season.

"We know what the levels are but we have got to take that one step more, because we have to win.

"We are certainly not frightened by the challenge, we know how big the challenge is.

"They are favourites, they are at home, we are going to have to do something to win it."

Boro inflicted Albion's heaviest ever defeat at the Amex when they won 3-0 in December, ending the Seagulls' 21-match unbeaten start.

Hughton said: "They were very good at the Amex, probably the best side that has come down here this season, but that was a while ago.

"They are still as good. You might go through ups and downs but the quality is still there.

"The league doesn't lie. They are where they are, they have got the quality they have. They are all things we are aware of.

"They have learnt by their experiences. They got to the play-off final last season and were very close.

"Norwich were probably the better team on the day. I think they've learnt from that.

"You can see from the investment they have made, the type of players they have brought in.They have brought them in for one reason, to go one step further.

"Their recruitment and investment has been big and very good."

Albion's racehorse owning chairman Tony Bloom has already been a winner this week.

His classy flat performer, Penhill, made a successful debut over hurdles at Tramore on Wednesday for top Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins.

Hughton said: "The message from the chairman is constant. This is his football club and you only have to look around the stadium and the training ground to see what it (promotion) would mean to the chairman.

"The players are very aware of that. We don't see him that often but the message is always there, simply by what he has done for the club and the way he has invested in it."