ALBION boss Chris Hughton has praised the determination of his underdogs to dig in as the automatic promotion race hots up.

The Seagulls were widely expected to disappear from top two contention during a seven-match winless run in December and January.

They recovered with four straight victories and responded to last Saturday’s 4-1 drubbing at Cardiff with Tuesday’s 4-0 romp at Bristol City.

Hughton told The Argus: “Most people would expect Hull, Burnley and Middlesbrough to be right up there at the end, probably in the top three positions.

“It’s only because of Derby’s poor run, otherwise they would be speaking about those four.

“I understand what they say about us, because it is very difficult to sustain all season, but it is about how you bounce back.

“We bounced back really well after a difficult period. We had a really bad show at the weekend and bounced back. So I have got no doubts we have ability and quality in the team. It’s about how much we can keep the levels up right to the death.”

Leaders Hull will go six points clear of Albion tonight if they win their game in hand at home to sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday.

Burnley, Middlesbrough and Derby play tomorrow, away to Bolton, Fulham and Wolves respectively, ahead of Albion’s home game against Leeds on Monday.