Brighton are in the Play-offs v Swindon or Hartlepool

Last updated : 03 May 2004 By Bob Gear
Brighton are assured of a place in the play-offs as Port Vale in seventh place can't catch us.

If we win at Wrexham next week we will finish fourth.

If we lose the winner of Swindon vs Hartlepool at the County Ground next Saturday will overtake us, and we would finish fifth.

If we draw and there is a winner in that game we could finish fourth or fifth, goal difference will decide.

If Swindon vs Hartlepool is a draw we will finish fourth whatever our result.

Also if Swindon vs Hartlepool is a draw both teams will be in the play-offs, unless Port Vale win by 8 goals. An 8 goal win would take Port Vale above Hartlepool. If either team wins then the losers would be overtaken by Port Vale if they win at Rushden & Diamonds

So who will we be playing in the play-off semi-finals?

The 3rd & 4th placed Clubs will have the advantage of playing at home in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals. 3rd plays 6th & 4th plays 5th.

The first leg will be on Saturday 15th or Sunday 16th May.

The second leg could be on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th or Thursday 20th May.

The final is at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium on Sunday 30th May.

If we finish fourth we would be playing Away on 15th or 16th at either Swindon or Hartlepool. (Port Vale can only overtake the losers of Swindon vs Hartlepool, unless it's a draw and Port Vale win by 11 goals, in which case we would be playing at Burslem.)
 
An 11 goal win for Port Vale and a draw between Swindon & Hartlepool would take them above both Clubs into 5th place
.

The Return second leg would be at Home on 18th, 19th or 20th.

If we don't win at Wrexham, then the winner of Swindon v Hartlepool could overtake us. In that case we would be at home in the first leg on 15th or 16th and away in the second leg at either Swindon's County Ground or the Victoria Ground, Hartlepool.