Albert Jarrett grabbed the only goal as Albion Reserves beat Reading 1-0 in the Pontin's Holiday Combination League at Madejski Stadium yesterday.

The midfielder struck a cracking right-foot shot from 25 yards 15 minutes from time to clinch the points for the Seagulls.

It was no more than the visitors deserved as they enjoyed the majority of the first-half possession and never really looked troubled at the back.

Maheta Molango, back at the scene of his only first-team goal for the Seagulls, was first to try his luck after ten minutes when he neatly turned Curtis Osano down the left flank before firing into the side netting.

In the space of the next few minutes Royals keeper Jamie Young came to his side's rescue three times in quick succession as he denied Nathan Jones, Adam El-Abd and Kerry Mayo.

Reading were under the cosh but they nearly levelled things midway through the half when Goater put United States international Bobby Convey away on a counter-attack.

Convey burst into the box by Seagulls keeper Ben Roberts pulled off a smart save down to his right at the expense of a corner.

There was one more scare for the visitors in the first half when Goater's header was ruled out for offside.

Albion started the second period in confident mood and Jarrett's audacious effort from wide on the left was tipped over by Young.

The former Milton Keynes Dons player, though, got his rewards after 75 minutes when he fired home a wonderful low effort which nestled into the bottom far corner of the net.

And the 20-year-old was unlucky not to grab a second near the death as his shot was blocked by the legs of midfielder Simieon Howell.

*Albion Reserves: Roberts, El-Abd, Jones, Mayo, Elphick, Budd, Hart, Breach, Jarrett, Molango (Watson 80 mins), Robinson. Subs not used: Rents, May, Carey.