David Lee came back to haunt Cambridge United as Albion Reserves scored an impressive win yesterday.

Lee, who had his hopes of a move to the Abbey Stadium dashed in the summer, hit the first goal of a 3-0 success for the Seagulls' second string in their opening Pontin's Holidays Combination reserve match of the season.

Assistant manager Bob Booker watched the game and said: "It was a good all-round performance and a nice way to start the season."

The Seagulls had to weather an early storm but, with Chris McPhee always looking lively, they enjoyed an increasing amount of possession and Lee's low shot forced a good save from Cambridge keeper Martin Brennan.

Albion went in front in the 23rd minute. Adam Virgo headed inches wide of the far post from Lee's corner but the resulting goal kick only found Shaun Wilkinson.

The captain's pass sent Lee scampering into the area, where he beat the advancing Brennan with a neat finish. John Piercy then dipped a 20-yard free-kick inches over the bar.

It was the home side who started the second period the brighter, with the lively John Turner going close.

McPhee lifted a shot over from ten yards and Robbie Pethick was forced into a goal-line clearance at the other end.

Albion took a grip on the game in the 65th minute when Wilkinson's diagonal ball into the box was chested down by McPhee into the path of Nicky Bridle, who slid his first time shot beyond Brennan from just inside the area.

A third followed on the break. McPhee slipped the ball into the path of Wilkinson in the 74th minute and the skipper sprinted clear of the defence and rounded the keeper before finishing.

Albion Reserves: Kuipers, Bridle (Windsor 79), Harding, Virgo, Butters, Pethick, Wilkinson, Hammond, Lee, McPhee, Piercy.