Albion Reserves opened their home campaign with a 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers at Lancing tonight.

George Barker put the Seagulls ahead with a 43rd minute penalty, awarded when Jamie Smith was brought down inside the box.

Matty Taylor slotted the visitors level from the rebound in the 61st minute after the woodwork had initially twice come to Albion's rescue from a free-kick.

Leon Redwood and Ryan Simmonds both hit the crossbar with shots either side of the equaliser for a Rovers side containing several players with Football League experience, including ex-Seagull Al Bangura.

Torbjorn Agdestein later clipped the outside of a post from an acute angle.

Albion (4-1-2-3): Brezovan; Sampayo, Cook, Hall, Redwood; Kasim; Smith, Forster-Caskey (Rodgers 65); Barker, Simmonds, Agdestein (Woodley 79). Subs not used: Strong, Walker.