HOPE POWELL refused to write off Birmingham’s WSL survival hopes with the club in the final stages of their battle to avoid relegation.
However, the Brighton chief warns relegated sides face a huge task returning to the top-flight due to fierce competition in the Championship.
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Today Albion host their bottom of the table opponents who are in desperate need of a win having earned a point from their last seven games.
The club, who have notched one win from the 18 matches played so far, are seven points behind league strugglers Leicester.
Powell, 55, said: “Mathematically isn’t over, they’re still in the league and we still need to play the game and treat them with respect.
“Being relegated is not position we want to be in and one we haven’t been in.
“The Championship is getting harder and harder with the professional status of a lot of the teams in there.
“Many are full time which has raised the standards, so for any team that gets relegated it’s a challenge to get promoted straightaway.
“Liverpool have done it and they’ve got huge resources and an exceptional squad of players, but for any team that gets relegated it’s quite a challenge.”
Birmingham, who were one of the founding team of the WSL, have never been relegated from the league since its creation in 2011.
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The two-time FA Cup winners, who competed in the Champions League ten years, ago have struggled with their WSL form in recent years
The club finished second from bottom in the WSL in the last two seasons.
Interim boss Darren Carter wants his side to “put their foot on the gas” with four games left for them to maintain their to-flight status.
Carter, 38, said: “There are a lot of things that need to change and will change at the football club.
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“I want to drive this team back to the height and some of the successes of previous years gone by.
“I want the players to represent the club as they have done, giving their everything.
“We’ve got to get points now and put them on the board and we’re more than capable.”