Two-goal Lee Steele opened his account for Albion, then revealed "I'm just glad to get a game."

The lively little Liverpudlian striker put Albion on course for a 3-2 win at Longford in the first match of their Irish tour last night.

He might even have completed a hat-trick but for a super save which kept out his acrobatic second-half scissors kick.

Steele combined well with young target man Scott Ramsay, who also scored.

But after a pretty competitive tussle in the early evening sunshine, Micky Adam's most recent signing admitted: "It's all about getting fitness levels right.

"I'm still miles off. I started late because I wasn't sure where I was going so I'm just glad to be in training and working hard.

"It was quite a competitive game and just what we needed.

"These Irish teams are always up for it and I really enjoyed it."

Seagulls were back in training today and visit another top flight irish outfit Galway tomorrow as part of their punishing pre-season schedule.

Adam's admitted: "We got a little but disjointed because of the substitution we were making.

"But its a fitness thing at the moment. We were a little bit tired because we are still doing a lot of physical work and I don't expect everything to be perfect in the early days."

The boss praised his new striker, saying: "He looks like a goalscorer.

"He enjoys being in the box, scoring goals and long may it continue."

Defender Darren Carr (back) and winger Rod Thomas (thigh muscle) missed the match with injury but are not giving great cause for alarm.