SDFL Division One

Dartmouth AFC 2

Dartmouth recorded back-to-back wins with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Buckfastleigh at Duckspond.

It was the visitors' third win in four games, which firmly puts them back in contention in challenging towards the top half of the table.

In good playing conditions, it was Dartmouth who settled the better.

Mark Sneap, handed the captaincy in Kevin Causley's absence, looked threatening in the opening stages alongside fellow striker Ben Greeno.

The central midfield pairing of Ryan Frost and Scott Mcroy looked solid early on and looked to dictate the game and put the hosts on the back foot.

The first real chance of the game came from Greeno, but his effort was easily saved by the home goalkeeper.

However, it was the home side that struck first. The Buckfastleigh striker managed to wriggle into the box and create an opening, only for a perfectly timed slide tackle by young full-back Jack Berry to intervene.

Unfortunately the ball fell back into the path of the home player, who dispatched his effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Seth Gloyn.

The goal seemed to dampen the away side's spirits, with Dartmouth having to rely on centre-backs Jordan Frost and Eric Thompson to clear the danger.

With around 10 minutes left until the break, Dartmouth drew level.

Midfielder Freddie Smith was sent through by Frost, whose volley was parried into the path of the onrushing Sneap to coolly slot home.

The goal was completely against the run of play, and after some stern words at half-time, the visitors could count themselves lucky to be level. Just as the first half had ended, it was Buckfastleigh who looked the more dominant side, with their central midfielder going close on a couple of occasions. As the game wore on, neither side seemed to take a foothold of proceedings.

With around 20 minutes to go, the lively Greeno linked up well with Sneap before seeing his strike deflect off the home defender and land into the back of the net.

Dartmouth's lead was nearly short-lived, however, when a ball into the box was met by the opposition defender, who slotted home but was adjudged to be offside. Lee Prestage made a critical goal-line clearance five minutes from time to see the Darts over the line.

Greeno could have increased the margin of victory in the last minute of the game but he was denied by the goalkeeper.

Dartmouth will be looking to extend their unbeaten run with another away fixture this Saturday against high-flying Waldon Athletic, kick-off at 2.30pm.