Tommy Elphick has started every Brighton game of 2008 (Getty)

Brighton defender Tommy Elphick has said their hectic March programme has taken its toll as they have drifted out of play-off contention.

Brighton, who are ninth in League One, have suffered defeats against Port Vale and Southend in April following nine games in 29 days in the previous month.

Elphick told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "The [April] games were mentally harder than physically.

"There's a hangover from the nine games in March."

He added: "It's a concentration thing, the Port Vale game stressed that a lot, they were first to second balls."

The central defender insists it's been a positive season for Brighton even if they do fall short of the play-offs.

"We were around 17th this time last year but we are still in with a shout of the play-offs, the progress we have made this year is massive."