READING FC picked up their first point in three Championship matches after a 2-2 draw with in-form Brighton.

On a day when the Madejski Stadium was hit by a power cut, there was no shortage of spark from Jaap Stam's men.

A fire at the nearby Furniture Land store had cut electricity to the area shortly before kick off, raising fears the match could be called off for health and safety reasons.

But power was soon restored and Royals delivered their best performance of the season so far, with Paul McShane netting a 59th minute equaliser after Brighton had led through a Joey van den Berg own goal and Anthony Knockaert strike following John Swift's opener for the hosts.

Stam named the same starting XI for the third match running, despite back-to-back away defeats at Wolves and Newcastle United in the past week, conceding six goals in the process.

Brighton, meanwhile, arrived unbeaten this season and boasted ex-Royals Glenn Murray, Steve Sidwell and Liam Rosenior in their ranks.

Oliver Norwood, who moved to the Seagulls for around £2 million recently after an excellent Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland, was also on the bench.

But the visitors were picking the ball out of the net with barely two minutes gone thanks to Swift's opener.

Quick feet from Roy Beerens coaxed a foul out of Beram Kayal just outside the box on the right.

Royals flooded the visitors' area with players, only for Swift's curling effort from a tight angle to miss everyone and nestle in the far corner, with David Stockdale wrong-footed.

But the lead lasted only six minutes as Brighton levelled thanks to van den Berg's own goal.

Royals conceded a corner from the right, and when Knockaert delivered, van den Berg's header flew past Ali Al Habsi and into the net.

The Dutch defender clearly felt he had been pushed by an opponent in the build-up, but his appeal to referee Mike Jones fell on deaf ears.

In fact, van den Berg appeared to lose the plot for the next few minutes, picking up a booking in the process.

But Reading gradually regained their composure and almost took the lead once again with 27 minutes gone.

Some good work from Beerens down the right led to Danny Williams hooking the ball to Kermorgant at the back post.

The Frenchman took one touch before drilling a low-half volley which forced a crucial block by Lewis Dunk in front of goal.

It sparked a decent spell for the Royals as Kermorgant fired just wide from 20 yards on the half hour, then George Evans rifled one narrowly over from even further out.

Then three minutes before the break Royals threatened again, McCleary's smart pass finding Gunter who picked out Swift's run from deep.

But Rosenior was alert to the danger and put in a brave block-tackle to deny the former Chelsea midfielder from close range.

And another chance went begging on the stroke of half time when Swift's cleverly disguised free-kick found Kermorgant whose first-time volley from outside the box bounced a yard wide of Stockdale's far post.

Nevertheless, it had been an encouraging display from Stam's men against one of the in-form sides in the Championship.

Yet they switched off at the restart and conceded a second goal 36 seconds into the second half.

A swift Brighton attack saw Sam Baldock pull the ball back to the unmarked Knockaert who hit a clinical shot past Al Habsi without breaking stride.

Yet Royals regrouped and were a whisker away from equalising in the 53rd minute when Kermorgant planted a powerful header against the crossbar from McCleary's centre.

And they did make it 2-2 just before the hour with a wonderful finish from McShane.

McCleary worked his way to the bye-line and McShane shook off his marker before clipping a delightful first-time effort from 12 yards past Stockdale and inside the near post.

Now all the momentum was with Reading and they almost snatched the lead in the 66th minute when Stockdale saved Kermorgant's spectacular overhead kick from a Beerens cross.

Stam's men were also screaming for a penalty when Gaetan Bong brought down Chris Gunter, but Jones deemed the offence took place inches outside the area, and Brighton cleared their lines.

In the closing quarter McCleary saw a deflected shot bounce just wide as a heavy shower began to fall.

Sadly, Royals ended the game with 10 men when van den Berg was sent off for a second yellow after pulling back Brighton substitute Tomer Hemed in the 90th minute.

However, Hemed wasted a clear-cut chance to win it at the death when he headed over from Knockaert's cross.

Nevertheless, it was an encouraging display from the Royals against a Seagulls side tipped to push for promotion.

If they maintain that level of performance they are certain to climb up the table.

Reading travel to Cardiff City next Saturday (3pm).

Reading: Al Habsi – Gunter, Van den Berg, McShane (c), Obita – McCleary (Mendes 86), Williams, Swift (Quinn 81), Evans, Beerens (Cooper 90) – Kermorgant. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Harriott, Watson, Meite. Booked: Van den Berg 12 & 89, Williams 90, Kermorgant 90. Red card: Van den Berg 89.

Brighton: Stockdale, Rosenior, Saltor (c), Bong – Sidwell, Kayal – Knockaert, Baldock (Norwood 68), Skalak (Murphy 76) – Murray (Hemed 86). Subs not used: Maenpaa, Ince, Lualua, White. Booked: Dunk 57, Bong 76.

Referee: Mike Jones.

Attendance: 16,781 (Brighton 2,915).