QPR Reserves beat a Brighton XI at the Club's training ground this afternoon in an eight-goal thriller.

The entertaining match also featured the return of attacker Jamie Mackie, who made a second-half appearance after a nine-month spell on the sidelines.

Mackie, incidentally, didn't find out he was set to feature until after First Team training this morning.

Southampton loanee Jason Puncheon put the R's ahead on 20 minutes with a superb left-footed strike, after cutting inside from the right flank.

Although it wasn't long before the match was level, as Jamie Smith's acute chip beat Brain Murphy in the Rangers goal.

The lead was restored on 37 minutes, when Akos Buzsaky converted from the spot, after Puncheon was fouled inside the Brighton 18-yard box.

Moments later and a goal-line scramble allowed the visitors to once again bring the scores level, as George Barker got the decisive and final touch.

Rangers added another to the scoreline on the stroke of half-time, as Buzsaky struck a ferocious shot from distance, leaving the Seagulls number one with no chance.

The quick feet of Bruno Andrade gifted the home side their second penalty of the match, which the youngster converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Jordan Woodley beat Murphy from close range as the visitors once again narrowed the score.

But Marcel Henry-Francis had the final say and headed the R's into a two-goal cushion late into the second half.

Mackie came close to marking his return with a goal, but the Rangers number 12 just missed the target on two occasions, in what was overall a momentous step for the 26 year-old.

QPR Reserves Squad: Brian Murphy, Michael Harriman, Gary Borrowdale, Bruno Perone, Mo Shariff, Taylor Parmenter, Marcel Henry-Francis, Akos Buzsaky, Petter Vaagan Moen, Hogan Ephraim, Bruno Andrade, Jason Puncheon, Patrick Agyemang, Jamie White, Danny Fitzpatrick, Jordan Gibbons, Jamie Mackie, Trialist x 2.