Sam Baldock believes Albion are still in their play-off semi-final – despite a nightmare Friday the 13th at Hillsborough.

The Seagulls lost 2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the first leg of their play-off semi-final after hitting the post early on and losing four key men to injury.

Baldock admits the catalogue of misfortune, following the hotly debated red card for Dale Stephens in their previous match at Middlesbrough, was hard to take.

But he also suggested Wednesday missed a trick by not putting the tie out of reach on their own patch last night.

The Argus:

Steve Sidwell goes down injured last night

The Albion forward said: “We have had a fair amount of bad luck over the last couple of weeks. The fact is that is only 2-0. When you look at possession, they dominated pretty much the entire game.

“To come out of it and the resilience we showed, I think they will be a little bit disappointed that’s it’s only two.

“We’ve got nothing to lose now. I think the pressure has completely switched on to them. We are positive and we’re going to go for it.

“We had the injustice at Middlesbrough with the sending-off - and I stick by that. It was an outrageous decision. Then four key players pick up injuries, leaving us down to ten men.”

Connor Goldson and Tomer Hemed left the action late in the first half and Steve Sidwell and Anthony Knockaert followed by the hour mark.

Baldock added: “What transpired in the opening minutes of the second half was a bitter blow but we dealt with it well. We defended with heart and pride.

“We knew we didn’t have to get back in the tie straight away because we have got 90 minutes to play at the Amex – full stadium screaming fans egging us on.

“Stranger things have happened. We are 15 points clear of them over the season. It’s clear we are the better side “We need to take that into Monday and show everyone why we finished third.

“I came off the pitch thinking ‘Bring on Monday’ because they were celebrating like they had won. Believe me this tie is not over.”