Brighton Reserves found they had no answer to a strong Norwich City side in yesterday's Avon Insurance clash at the Canaries training ground at Colney.

Although the Seagulls conceded six goals it was against a Norwich side that saw all 11 players having had first team experience.

The day belonged to the former Spurs striker Paul McVeigh who celebrated his 23rd birthday by netting four of the goals.

Norwich took the lead after just two minutes when McVeigh converted from close range. Dutchman Fernando Der Vald provided the cross for McVeigh's second after just five minutes.

The striker completed his hat-trick on the half-hour with a chip over the advancing Mark Cartwright. Paul Dalglish saw his near post cross converted by McVeigh for his fourth while just before the break Adrian Coote scored the home side's fifth.

To their credit Brighton looked a different side after the break and much more organised.

Robert Green in the Norwich goal was on hand to save a Daniel Marney shot while Shaun Wilkinson saw a goal-bound effort blocked by former Leicester man Steve Walsh.

With 15 minutes left to play Norwich made it six when Dalglish hit an unstoppable half volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Brighton: Cartwright, Hinshelwood, Jackson, Hammond, Hemsley, Beech, Freeman, Wilkinson, Marney (Wojciechowski 67), Ramsay, Thomas (McCurry 45) Subs not used: Davis, Sansom.

Referee: Mr Pollard.