Paul Reid proved he is fit and ready for Albion's big kick-off in dramatic style last night.

The Australian midfielder, who has missed most of pre-season with a thigh strain, played the full 90 minutes and scored a 25-yard thunderbolt as the Seagulls drew at Lewes in their final friendly before Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship opener at Reading.

Reid could now fill the gap left by the injured Richard Carpenter in the centre of midfield.

Manager Mark McGhee said: "He missed three weeks of training so he is way behind the others in terms of fitness, but he showed he is not too much behind for being in contention.

"He needed a full 90 minutes and he came through it so I was very pleased with him."

Trialist midfielders Darren Currie, formerly of Wycombe, and Chelsea youngster Alexis Nicolas both impressed and could also be options.

McGhee added: "All the boys in contention for Saturday, even those on the bench like Reidy, Adam El-Abd, Albert Jarrett, Darren Currie, Alexis Nicolas and Dean Hammond, did themselves proud."

Albion took no chances with their line-up with the Reading game four days away. But they still fielded five players with League experience as well as the trialists.

El-Abd partnered Hammond in the centre of defence, with Reid in an unfamiliar rightback role.

Dan Beck started on the left flank, with Currie on the right and Jarrett played up front with Jake Robinson.

Jarrett signed a three-year contract at the weekend after being recommended to Albion by Lewes manager Steven King.

Lewes started at full strength and included trialist defender Tom Jordan, son of former Manchester United, Leeds and Scotland striker Joe, plus new goalkeeper Ade Bankole.

The Rooks had the former Crewe custodian to thank for a goalless first half as Albion created the better chances.

He got down well to his left to stop a point-blank shot from Jarrett, who had broken clear of Jordan.

Bankole then held a free header from Robinson following a deep cross by the lively Jarrett.

The Lewes keeper could do nothing about the first goal five minutes after the interval. Beck crossed from the left and the unmarked Robinson side-footed into the bottom corner from close range.

Jarrett almost marked an impressive display with a goal on the hour, drilling against the foot of a post with replacement keeper Kevin Davies well beaten.

The Rooks equalised on 69 minutes when new signing Luke Cornwall blasted into an empty net after Chris May parried a shot from Barrington Belgrave.

Albion regained the advantage six minutes later thanks to Reid's long-range strike but substitute Lee Newman saved the game for Rooks six minutes from time with a tap-in after May pushed away a Warren Haughton shot.