BEN Greeno scored his first goal in senior football, which was the highlight of Dartmouth Reserves' defeat last weekend.

Despite the final scoreline, against a Teignmouth side unbeaten in Division One this was an encouraging performance, with Dartmouth competing right to the final whistle.

With several players unavailable, no fewer than six of the squad were making their seasonal Division One debuts and Teignmouth took early advantage, scoring after only five minutes and hitting the post shortly afterwards.

Once Dartmouth settled, though, they began to play some excellent football.

Scott McRoy, Josh Webber and Alex Buscombe all went close, but Teignmouth's super-quick front two were always a danger on the break. Eventually the visitors deservedly drew level when a great ball into the area caused a moment's hesitation between the Teignmouth 'keeper and his defenders, and in stole Ben Greeno to bravely head home his landmark goal.

Just as it looked that half-time would arrive with the teams all square, a ball into the Dartmouth area took a horrible bobble on the rutted surface and, in mid-swing trying to clear, Jake Blamey unfortunately sliced the ball into his own net.

Starting the second half, Dartmouth knew the next goal would be crucial, and within five minutes Buscombe was wrongly adjudged to have tripped a Teignmouth player in the box and the hosts duly opened up a two-goal cushion from the spot.

The home side then dominated the next 20 minutes, but 'keeper Carl Hoare earned his man-of-the-match tag with five fantastic saves, the pick of which was a finger-tip push onto the post from a close-range header.

Teignmouth's fourth goal, a cracking left-foot shot on the turn from 12 yards was their only goal of true quality but, rather than capitulate, Dartmouth dug deep and in the last 15 minutes went close on several occasions.

Over the 90 minutes no one would dispute the better side won, but an unfortunate own goal and a penalty that never was gave Teignmouth the breaks at crucial times and a somewhat flattering scoreline.

Tomorrow Dartmouth Reserves need to bounce back at home to Paignton Villa as both teams strive to pull away from the relegation zone.

Amazingly this is only their fourth home game of the season so far, their first on Longcross since November 26. Kick off is at 2.30pm.