JOSEPH Mendes was on the scoresheet as Reading FC defeated Bristol Rovers 3-2 in their opening EFL Checkatrade Trophy clash last night.

The 25-year-old won and converted a penalty for his first goal in a Royals shirt since arriving from Le Havre in the summer.

Jack Stacey and Jake Sheppard also found the net at Memorial Stadium as Martin Kuhl's young side of mostly players Under 23 saw off a spirited Pirates.

Reading named Academy defender Tom McIntryre and first-year pro Gabriel Osho in their line-up, with skipper Anssi Jaakkola, fit-again striker Dominic Samuel, 22, and Mendes adding some experience.

Mendes almost opened the scoring on two occasions early on with a shot that deflected narrowly over and another that was well saved by Kelle Roos.

Samuel also hit the woodwork for the visitors, but they did break the deadlock with 33 minutes gone when Stacey's powerful drive went in off the post after excellent work from Tariqe Fosu in the build up.

Jaakkola was equal to Lee Brown's effort at the other end, but Royals created further chances before the break with Samuel and Shane Griffin both going close.

Samuel curled another shot narrowly wide early in the second-half, but Rovers re-grouped and found an equaliser on the hour when Matty Taylor headed home from Daniel Leadbitter's delivery.

Only a crucial save by Jaakkola to deny Jermaine Easter from a tight angle prevented the hosts from edging in front before Fosu, Stacey and Tyler Frost threatened a second for the Royals.

And Kuhl's side did notch a second goal in the 77th minute with a clinical finish from substitute Sheppard after Stacey's piledriver had rebounded off the post.

Rovers, though, pulled it back to 2-2 five minutes later thanks to Easter's fine strike from a Chris Lines assist after Royals had been caught in possession.

However, it took Reading less than two minutes to regain the lead thanks to Mendes.

The pacy Frenchman was bundled over by Mark McChrystal as he raced towards goal before dusting himself down to beat Roos from the spot to clinch a late victory.

Bristol Rovers: Roos, Leadbitter, Brown, McChrystal, Clarke, Lawrence (Lines 28), Easter, Montano (Clarke HT), Bodin (Taylor HT), Sinclair, Gaffney. Subs not used: Mildenhall, Hartley, Broom, James.

Reading: Jaakkola, Watson, Osho, Griffin, McIntyre, Rinomhota, Barrett (Frost 66), Stacey, Fosu, Mendes (Cardwell 85), Samuel (Sheppard 66). Subs not used: Tupper, Andresson, Vancooten, East.

Attendance: 1,418 (Reading 69).

Referee: B.Huxtable.