Albion’s ultimate destiny this season might be decided on penalties.

Which means it could be a case of practice makes promotion.

That is the verdict of Adam Virgo, who fired home a spot kick as the Seagulls reached the third-tier play-off final in 2004.

Albion have come a long way since their first-ever shootout back in 1987.

That was in a League Cup first round tie, when Gillingham bizarrely put full-back Paul Haylock, possibly their smallest player, between the sticks after Phil Kite was sent-off in the first half.

Haylock won the game for his side and they retired for a well-earned pint at the Hove Park Tavern before heading home.

That play-off success over Swindon and the League Cup defeat of Manchester City rank as Albion’s most famous shootouts.

Asked what it takes to step up to the hot spot, Virgo said: “Bravery.

“Many players have the ability but, when it comes to it, they keep their hand down.

“When we played Swindon in 2004, we had brave individuals who put their hands up to take a penalty.

“Mark McGhee had us taking penalties every day before that game.

“He didn’t want anybody taking the Micky and trying to chip it down the middle.

“On the night, you do what you did in practice. If you did a short run-up in training, then don’t do a long run in the shootout.

“Preparation meant we knew exactly where we were going to put the ball.

“He put people behind the goal, shouting all sorts at us.

“One thing he concentrated on was the walk-up. If you haven’t practised penalties and you aren’t a regular penalty taker, you can walk up to the spot thinking ‘Where do I put it?’.

“But, with us, everybody knew as they walked up where their penalty was going.”

Albion’s total record in 13 shootouts is eight wins and five defeats.

They lost four of their first five and have since won seven out of eight.

Their only shootout defeat since 2001 was at Luton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2009 and cost them a trip to Wembley.