Brighton face a nerve-wracking final-day promotion showdown away to Middlesbrough after their run of five successive Championship wins ended with a 1-1 home draw against Derby yesterday.

The clash at the Riverside will determine who goes up to the Premier League and, while Boro only require a point, victory would ensure Brighton reach the top flight after a 33-year absence.

And manager Chris Hughton is relishing the chance earn promotion to the top-flight with a win at the weekend.

“Certainly if someone told us at the beginning of the season [that we’d be promoted with a win at Boro], we’d have bitten their hands off,” said Hughton after.

“We’ve risen to most challenges this season, this will be another big challenge, but one we’re looking forward to.

“We’ll have a good week, make sure we do everything right and look forward to a tough game and an exciting game.

“My experience can count [for something] but it’s down to our group of players, how quickly they recover and put this game behind us, and how quickly we can put ourselves into a position to win on Saturday.”

Derby went into the game already assured of a place in the play-offs and went in front 19 minutes from time through substitute Andreas Weimann.

Brighton had defender

Lewis Dunk sent off for two bookable offences before substitute James Wilson rescued a point with the last kick of the game.

“It is more about momentum and from our point of view, down to 10 men, we were desperate to get back into game,” Hughton added.

“It was always going to be difficult and there wasn’t a lot between the teams. It was going to be down to the one team who had a bit of guile who could break down the opposition. Today, they did it first.”

Brighton, now unbeaten in their last 13 games, were knocked out of the play-offs by Derby two seasons ago but on-loan Manchester United striker Wilson feels that the late goal is a major boost going into the must-win tie.

“We dig and fight until the end and even with a man sent off we fought and got the goal. Hopefully it can propel us into the last game,” Wilson said.

“Going into it on the back of a defeat would’ve been the worst possible way but we got a point and we’re going up to Middlesbrough with some confidence.”

Brighton defender Liam Rosenior admitted that Saturday’s opposition are a good side but added: “We’re a good side [as well]. I don’t know what will happen but I’m looking forward to it.”