Albion got off to a flying start thanks to a brilliant brace from summer signing Matt Sparrow, whose two goals secured a 2-1 opening day win.

The debutant found the net either side of the break to put Albion firmly in control, and although Charlie Austin gave the home side hope late on, Gus Poyet's men were excellent value for the victory at the County Ground.

Gordon Greer was denied the chance to face his former club by the suspension still hanging over him from last season, but it was another of Poyet's summer acquisitions, the tireless Sparrow, who took centre stage early on here.

The former Scunthorpe midfielder opened the scoring in the 18th minute after Jamie Smith - given the nod by Poyet after an impressive pre-season - created space for Sparrow with a neat pass inside, and Sparrow unleashed an unstoppable left-footed drive from the edge of the area which clipped the inside of the post on its way into the net.

Casper Ankergren was making his debut in the Albion goal, after signing a two-year deal yesterday. His goal came under increasing pressure as the first half wore on, but the big Dane didn't have a serious save to make.

Ashley Barnes worked hard ploughing a lone furrow in attack, but had to feed off slim pickings from the aggressive Lecsinel Jean-Francois, which meant the Seagulls were quickly back under pressure in their own half.

Barnes got more joy after the break however, and on a rare occasion when he escaped the impressive Jean-Francois, he found himself in space in the area after a chipped pass from Alan Navarro. Barnes tried to curl the ball past Smith into the far corner, but Scott Cuthbert made an excellent last-ditch tackle to block the striker's effort.

Significantly though, Albion had established a firmer footing in the match, and with 20 minutes remaining, Sparrow doubled his tally after a classic counter attack. Barnes held the ball up brilliantly just inside the Albion half before finding Sparrow, who swapped passes with Smith before rounding the advancing Swindon keeper Smith and slotting into an open net.

Swindon's reply was swift, as Austin went through on goal. Debutant keeper Ankergren, racing out of goal, brought down the Swindon forward. Ankergren was perhaps lucky to be cautioned, with the home fans calling for a red card. 

From the resultant free kick on the edge of the box the big Dane could only parry Michael Rose's fierce free-kick back into the danger area, and when the Albion defence failed to clear, Charlie Austin pounced to prod home from six yards.

It set up a nervy finish for Poyet's men, and Austin nearly salvaged a point as the ball sprang loose in the area, but Navarro was at hand to scoop the ball to safety, and ensure the Seagulls began the season with maximum points.

Swindon Town: (4-4-2) Smith; Amankwaah, Cuthbert, Jean-Francois, Rose; McGovern, Douglas, Prutton (Ferry 70), Ball (O'Brien 61); Dossevi (Pericard 46), Austin. Subs not used: Jesionkowski (GK), Caddis, Timlin, Morrison.

Albion: (4-5-1) Ankergren; Calderon, Elphick, El-Abd, Painter; Bennett, Kishishev (Dicker 57), Navarro, Sparrow, Jamie Smith (Hart 84); Barnes. Subs not used: Poke (GK), Whing, Holroyd, Battipiedi, Baz.

Referee: Dean Whitestone.

Yellow Cards: Austin (Swindon; Ankergren, El-Abd, Painter, Elphick (Albion).