Albion boss Dean Wilkins has urged his play-off chasers to pull off a breakthrough victory at third-placed Carlisle on Saturday.

The Seagulls have drawn against most of the top teams this season, including Carlisle at Withdean in November, but Southend are the only ones they have beaten.

With a trip to fifth-placed Walsall next Tuesday and the visit of second-in-the-table Doncaster four days later, Albion face an acid test of their play-off credentials in the next three matches.

Wilkins said: "We definitely have to make that breakthrough now, because I think we have showed we can comfortably compete against the top sides. It is just going that little extra bit and winning those three points.

"That is the thing we have to achieve now to get to our goal of at least a play-off place. We are going to have to break that hoodoo."

Carlisle have a formidable record at Brunton Park, where they have taken 40 points from a possible 45.

Wilkins admitted: "It's quite frightening. Thirteen wins, one draw and one defeat in 15 games is by far the best in the league, so we have a huge challenge on our hands.

"After a successful period at home we now need to get our away form back on track and the first thing we need to be is extremely solid collectively. It has to be a real team effort."

Steve Thomson resumed light training yesterday and should be fit to return to the centre of midfield after withdrawing late from Tuesday's 4-2 home win over Gillingham with a neck injury.

A late decision will be made on whether Dean Cox is included in the squad flying north today.

Cox was axed on disciplinary grounds for the second time this season on Tuesday following remarks he made on the bench about team-mates after he was substituted against Leyton Orient last Saturday.

Wilkins also has to decide whether to keep faith with Dean Bowditch or recall Jake Robinson, who has been brought on for the two-time Ipswich loanee in each of the last four matches.

Wilkins said: "Dean has got so much more to offer. He is a real confidence player.

"We have seen glimpses of real quality but he has been disappointed with his own performances and we know he can do better."

Are Albion good enough to beat the top teams?