Southampton Under-21s came out on top in seven-goal thriller at Adams Park, beating Reading 5-2 to move top of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.

Harrison Reed opened the scoring in just the seventh minute to set the tone of the match, before Rowan Liburd equalised for the hosts just two minutes later.

Goals from Sam McQueen and Ryan Seager put Martin Hunter’s side 3-1 up inside the opening 25 minutes, but an own-goal from Reed meant the visitors were still in the game at the break.

Jake Hesketh restored Saints’ two-goal lead just after the restart and added his second of the night to make it 5-2 to Saints with 20 minutes still to play.

Hunter's men comfortably saw out the remainder of the game to make it five unbeaten at the start of the campaign and jump above the Royals into top spot.

Ryan Bertrand, back in action for the first time this season after requiring surgery following the conclusion of the previous campaign, was one of three changes made by Hunter for the game at Adams Park.

Bertrand started at left-back in place of Josh Debayo, while Josh Sims started in place of Lloyd Isgrove and Seager – fresh from two goals against Leicester City last Monday – started in place of the injured Marcus Barnes.

Bertrand was into the action straight away as he slid in on Lisandro Semedo inside the first five minutes and picked up an early yellow card, but Saints would go ahead just two minutes later as they countered quickly from the resulting free-kick.

Seager, Hesketh and Reed all strode forward, with the striker opting to find the latter, who struck home brilliantly from just inside the box with the aid of the far post.

The hosts got themselves back in the game almost immediately, however, as Liburd saw his header hit the underside of the bar on its way in after Saints had failed to clear the danger from a deep cross into the box.

After Bertrand had almost scored directly from a corner, Saints regained the lead. The following set piece was cleared only as far as McQueen, who smashed the ball home for his fourth league goal of the campaign.

Three minutes later and Saints had doubled their lead. Dom Gape’s free-kick was flicked on by Seager and looped over Reading stopper Lewis Ward into the far corner.

But once again Reading responded well. A cross from Andrija Novakovich was put through his own net by Reed as he looked to try and clear the danger.

Saints quickly got themselves back on the front foot in search of a fourth goal, and went close on three occasions within a matter of minutes. After McQueen’s shot had been parried by Ward, the Reading goalkeeper then did well to tip Seager’s effort from the rebound wide of the post.

McQueen, buoyed by his earlier goal, cut inside in the 35th minute and curled a left-footed strike towards the far post. Unfortunately for the winger his effort, which had Ward scrambling, went narrowly wide.

The goals continued to flow at the start of the second half as Hesketh restored Saints’ two-goal lead. Sims’ cross was only parried as far as the diminutive midfielder, who applied the finish for his second league goal of the campaign.

Saints were defending much better in the second half, but they almost allowed the hosts a route back into the game when Liburd raced clear, but the striker could only blaze over when one-on-one with Isted.

It wasn't long though before Saints had a fifth and Hesketh had his second of the night. The 19 year-old was sent clear by Seager and calmly applied the finish, rolling the ball beyond Ward.

As the game wore on the chances for both sides dried up, with Saints happy to soak up late pressure from the hosts to extend their unbeaten run to five games and move top of the table.

Reading Under-21s: Lewis Ward, Sean Long, Dominic Hyam, Pierce Sweeney (c), Shane Griffin, Lisandro Semedo (Andy Rinomhota 68), Conor Shaughnessy, Liam Kelly, Tariqe Fosu, Rowan Liburd, Andrija Novakovich. Unused substitutes: Luke Southwood (GK), Nano Owusu, Samuel Fridjonsson, Noor Husin.

Goals: Rowan Liburd (9), Harrison Reed (O.G. 26)

Southampton Under-21s: Harry Isted, Bevis Mugabi, Jason McCarthy, Will Wood, Ryan Bertrand (Josh Debayo 46), Dominic Gape (c), Harrison Reed, Jake Hesketh, Sam McQueen (Lloyd Isgrove 89), Josh Sims, Ryan Seager (Olufela Olomola 87). Unused substitutes: Harry Lewis (GK), Armani Little.

Goals: Harrison Reed (7), Sam McQueen (21), Ryan Seager (24), Jake Hesketh (46, 69)

Booked: Ryan Bertrand (5), Josh Debayo (53)