There was much to admire and bundles of encouragement for Albion's longer term future despite opening day defeat at the Madejski.

But can Mark McGhee's predominantly youthful squad grow up quickly enough to survive in the man's world of the First Division?

That is the question which must have been pre-occupying Seagulls supporters on the journey home from Berkshire after seeing a modified and makeshift team contribute fully to an absorbing, action-packed start to the season.

McGhee has never been afraid to blood young players. Half of the 16 on duty at the Madejski Stadium were aged 22 or under.

His hand has been forced to some extent. Ben Roberts, Richard Carpenter, Simon Rodger, Dean Blackwell and Paul Watson are all injured.

Another experienced member of the squad, Charlie Oatway, has now joined them after over-stretching for a pass from Dan Harding in the first half and hurting a hamstring.

It has also been needs must to a degree in terms of the type of player McGhee has been able to add to the squad he so adeptly steered to promotion via the play-offs.

He is undoubtedly working with the lowest budget in the Coca-Cola Championship, which helps explain the acquisitions of three unproven rookies and Darren Currie who, although 29, has until now spent his career playing below Albion's current level.

McGhee is, however, also deliberately nurturing a nucleus of young players capable of serving the club well for years to come.

In this respect the debuts of Maheta Molango, Albert Jarrett and Alexis Nicolas were very heartening.

Molango could hardly have made a more dramatic impact than a goal after 12 seconds. Reading's suspect defence was hesitant in dealing with a long ball into the box from Adam Virgo.

Paul Reid closed an attempted clearance down and Molango, calm as you like, guided in an angled drive from 12 yards. Molango caused havoc early on. He should have been awarded a penalty when Adie Williams clearly brought him down, then naively jumped into the same player and was fortunate not to be booked before his influence waned in the second half.

Jarrett, only 19, caught the eye when he ran with the ball, even though there was often no end product. A neat and tidy performance from Nicolas in midfield showed why McGhee wanted to sign him from Chelsea for a year, rather than just on loan for three months.

Currie did enough to suggest he could flourish as well once Albion use him more. His best moment was a probing cross, struck with his left foot from the right flank, which almost produced an equaliser for Jarrett at the start of the second half.

The teenager's unchallenged header at the far post was blocked by Marcus Hahnemann, Reading's formidable American custodian.

McGhee, reflecting on the performances of his newcomers, said: "I thought Maheta was terrific. I was worried about certain aspects of his game.

"He gave that foul away when he jumped into Adie Williams. We have worked with him on that and he was a bit naive in that respect, but generally he played well. I was pleased with him and he should have had a stonewall penalty.

"We know Albert's skills. We have to now hone those skills into things that are going to contribute to us winning a game. Three or four times he ran with the ball up blind alleys.

"We have to work with him, but I think he will become a tremendous asset.

"Alexis was all over the midfield, winning the ball back, breaking things down, putting them under pressure and forcing them to play back. He also passes the ball when he gets it.

"Darren did not get enough of the ball. We are going to have to work on getting him on the ball more, because when he is you see his quality."

And then there is Jake Robinson. His tremendous potential was amplified by an impressive finish which brought Albion back into the hunt midway through the second half.

Robinson, on for Adam Virgo as McGhee switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2, controlled and turned on a cross from Oatway's replacement Adam Hinshelwood to calmly slot his first League goal.

"It was a terrific finish," said McGhee. "His goal was typical of the way he has been training. He has been as sharp as a razor."

Contrastingly, it was an afternoon to forget for Harding. The promising leftback was given an uncomfortable time by Glen Little, who was in the Burnley team beaten at home by Albion on the opening day two seasons ago.

Harding was also to blame for Reading's ultimately decisive third goal in the 59th minute, when Nicky Forster got the better of him on the break. It was the kind of mistake he might have got away with in the Second Division, but Forster punished him by belting a shot past Michel Kuipers.

Reading's other goals were quality finishes too. Dave Kitson restored parity in the second minute, rifling into the roof of the net from Andy Hughes' knockdown as Albion committed the cardinal sin of conceding straight after scoring.

Midfielder James Harper, set up by Forster, put Steve Coppell's side ahead approaching the break with a low volley which again gave Kuipers, making his first start since November, little chance.

  • ALBION (4-5-1): Kuipers (gk) 7; Cullip (cd) 7, Nicolas (cm) 7, Oatway (cm) 6, Currie (rm) 6, Butters (cd) 7, Reid (cm) 7, Molango (f) 7, Jarrett (f) 7, Virgo (rb) 6, Harding (lb) 5. Subs: Mayo, Jones for Jarrett (withdrawn 69), Hinshelwood 6 for Oatway (injured 36), Robinson 7 for Virgo (withdrawn 57), May
  • Scorers: Molango (1), Robinson (63)
  • Bookings: Jarrett (29, foul), Cullip (54, foul)
  • READING: (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Murty, Shorey, Sidwell, Little, Williams, Forster, Hughes, Kitson, Harper, Ingimarsson. Subs: Goater, Convey, Brooker, Newman for Murty (withdrawn 66), Young
  • Scorers: Kitson (2), Harper (41), Forster (59)
  • Booking: Forster (27, unsporting behaviour)
  • Fans' View: BEN OWEN (Brighton) We deserved a draw because we had a clear penalty turned down at 1-1. Seeing Molango and, particularly, Robinson score their first League goals gives us a warm glow as I'm sure they'll be the first of many for the club. Jake took his chance beautifully and we looked much more of a threat with him on.

MARGARET WILLIAMS (Hove) We played well, considering it was the first match without Leon Knight, Richard Carpenter and people like that. It was great to see Molango score so early and it was worth coming just for that. Jake Robinson is exciting and I've been impressed every time I've seen him.

TIM CAMPBELL (Essex) We made our presence felt, put quite a bit of pressure on in the second half and were not frightened of being back in the division. Reading looked a bit scared of us in the second half because they weren't expecting us to put that much pressure on. Molango was quite elegant and Robinson deserved his goal.

DARREN HASTINGS (Wimbledon) Although we didn't have a lot of possession, we can take a bit of hope from the game because it wasn't our strongest side. It was an unbelievable finish by Jake (Robinson) and he showed a lot of hunger. Jarrett looked very good and Nicolas had a good first half.