Lee Steele boosted his bid for a return to the first team squad with a goal for Albion's Reserves last night.

Steele, watched by boss Peter Taylor, struck in a 1-1 draw against Gillingham before going off at half-time.

It is unclear whether the former Shrewsbury striker will start against Wrexham at Withdean on Saturday, but he could be back in the 16 as Bobby Zamora and Daniel Webb will both be beginning bans.

Steele, playing alone up front, had Taylor's good friend Andy Hessenthaler to thank for opening the scoring in the 25th minute.

Hessenthaler marshalled the midfield when Taylor guided Gillingham to division one via the play-offs two seasons ago and is now player/manager at the Priestfield Stadium.

He was embarrassed on a heavy Woodside Road pitch when he inexplicably ducked under a long ball out of defence, evoking reminders of Laurent Blanc's blunder for Manchester United in the FA Cup at Middlesborough.

Steele could hardly believe his luck as he scampered clear and calmly rounded keeper Jason Brown.

Gillingham levelled late on when a left wing cross by Ben White, the son of Albion's reserve team chief Dean White, was sliced into his own net by Adam Virgo.

The Albion line-up featured Charlie Oatway and Paul Rogers in midfield, while Nathan Jones took over at leftback from Kerry Mayo for the second half. Teenage forward Chris McPhee was an interesting absentee.

Albion Reserves: Packham; Mayo, Virgo, Hemsley, Oatway, Lee, Hammond, Steele, Rogers, Wojcichowski. Subs: Beck (for Steele 46), Jackson, Jones (for Mayo, 46), Bartholomew (for Wojcichowski 79), Greatwich.