We’ve got to keep our nerve – Murray

BRIGHTON striker Glenn Murray has urged for calm as his side bid to edge closer to automatic promotion tonight with victory over Birmingham at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls can regain top spot and extend their nine-point gap on the chasing pack with a fourth win in five matches, but leading goalscorer Murray is guarded against a repeat of last season’s play-off heartache.

Murray’s 19th league goal of the season clinched Saturday’s 1-0 home win against Blackburn and he told the Brighton Argus: “We’ve been in this position before, not just last year.

“Brighton have gone close quite a few times and it hasn’t quite happened yet.

“We don’t want that to happen again and we just need to calm down and enjoy the moment we’re in.”

Leaders Newcastle and thirdplaced Huddersfield are not in action until tomorrow night – both at home against Burton and Norwich respectively – and Murray is relishing the chance to reclaim pole position.

“It’s when you are fighting at the other end of the league, that’s when it’s really tough,” he added. “When you are fighting at the right end it should be an enjoyable period.”

Reading leapfrogged play-off rivals Leeds after their 1-0 home win against the Yorkshiremen on Saturday and can consolidate in fourth place by beating Blackburn, winless in their last five, at the Madejski Stadium.

Garry Monk’s Leeds face a tough test at Brentford as they aim to bounce back and at least maintain their six-point gap over seventh-placed Sheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday, who have won only one of their last seven, will expect three points from their trip to already-relegated derby rivals Rotherham, while Fulham, who knocked the Owls out of the final play-off place at the weekend, take on Derby at Pride Park.

Derby secured their first win under new manager Gary Rowett on Friday, 1-0 at home against QPR.

Preston, six points adrift of the play-off places after drawing three of their last four games, will look to close the gap on the top six with a home win against Bristol City, whose weekend defeat at Brentford has left them one point above the drop zone.

Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa are bidding for their seventh league win in eight in their home game against QPR, while Wolves will chase a fifth straight league win at home against Forest.