CHRIS Hughton admits Albion are in a relegation scrap.

But he is happy to have a "very good gap" over the bottom three.

Cardiff's 2-0 home win over Bournemouth on Saturday night, after Albion had been held to a goalless draw by Watford at the Amex, reduced the margin between the Seagulls in 13th and the relegation zone to five points.

That has prompted Hughton to calculate the situation as a relegation fight.

He told The Argus: "I think you have to. Not just us.

"Is there a possibility a team like us could go down? Yes, of course, if we're not able to pick up the type of results we need.

"But probably, if you are looking at where we are and just above us, any team having a bad run can get drawn into that.

"We have been good enough this season to stay clear of that relegation zone and five points at this moment is still a very good gap between us and the bottom three.

"But a series of games, a series of defeats, could see you drawn into it, and probably you think that way because teams are capable of winning as Cardiff showed.

"The two bottom teams at the moment (Huddersfield and Fulham) have obviously not picked up sufficient points, but they are both capable of going on decent runs. So yes, you have to think that way."

Albion have another home game on Saturday against Burnley, three points behind them in 17th, following tomorrow night's FA Cup fourth round replay at West Brom.