Dean White underlined the Albion's commitment to young players when his reserve side opened their league campaign with a 0-0 draw against Southend at Worthing last night.

White fielded seven teenagers in his starting 11, including 16-year-old trainee Chris Breach.

The defender, sporting a shaven head after a youth team initiation ceremony, caught the eye at centre back alongside man-of-the-match Adam Virgo.

White said: "There were a lot of young lads out there and a couple of years ago that was the youth team.

"For many of them it's their first competitive reserve match and they equipped themselves well.

"There's only one Brighton team that has to win and that's the first team. My job is to get as many players into the first team as possible and help injured players rehabilitate."

White, who has been in charge of the reserves for two years since leaving Hastings, admitted he was disappointed his charges failed to collect all the points. Chris McPhee had two good chances to score, the first of which was cleared off the line in the opening half and he dragged a shot into the side netting after the break.

Daniel Marney and David Lee also spurned excellent opportunities in the first half. Marney ran on to a great ball over the top in the 29th minute from Dean Hammond but he failed to hit the target with his right foot.

Three minutes before the break Marney pulled the ball back for Lee whose low right foot finish was hacked off the line by Ben Price.

At the other end, Andy Petterson displayed his ability with impressive saves from Danny Maye and Barrington Belgrave.

Albion: Petterson, Breach, Harding, Bridle (El-Abd 45), Virgo, Pitcher, Marney, Hammond, McPhee, Lee (Greatwich 66), Beck. Subs not used: Packham, Bartholomew