Former Albion boss Steve Coppell has kicked off his new job at Reading with an FA rap.

He has been charged with abusive or insulting words to a match official during his final away game in charge of the Seagulls at Rushden and Diamonds on September 30.

Coppell was ordered from the dugout by referee David Crick for protesting to a linesman after Rushden were awarded a penalty in the second half of Albion's 3-1 victory.

He has another week to respond to the charge but is expected to escape a touchline ban because of his previously good record.

Steve Sidwell's sixth goal of the season ensured Coppell's reign as Reading boss got off to a winning start at home to Gillingham last night.

Sidwell, who was snatched from under Coppell's nose while on loan at Albion, smashed home an 85th-minute winner to end a run of four League games without a win for the Royals and get goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann off the hook.

The American stopper had gifted the Gills an equaliser when he missed the ball while attempting a clearance, allowing Marlon King to net and cancel out Scott Murray's opener.