SAM Griffin marked his Christchurch debut by grabbing their opening goal in a dramatic 2-1 triumph at New Milton in the Sydenhams Premier last night.

He equalised in the 80th minute after coming on as a substitute.

Ben Dickenson grabbed Priory’s winner with two minutes to go after Jon Lever had fired New Milton in front.

Christchurch manager Graham Kemp said: “Sam signed from Hawworthy Recreation at the end of last season and has been playing well for our reserves.

“He’s a wide midfielder who’s been on the bench but hadn’t come on before, so I’m delighted he got us back on level terms.

“Mark Dancer, who’d signed from Hamworthy United, also did well in midfield on his debut.

“We lost 2-0 to Bemerton on Saturday but they went top on Monday when they toppled Hamworthy United 4-0, so it was no disgrace losing to them.

“I was looking for a response and got it.”

Christchurch: Kearn, Costello (Dand ht), Legg, Crutchley, Grace, Dancer (Kittle 65), Sanderson, Burt, Dickenson, Ewen (Griffin 60), Osborne. Unused subs: Rideout, Bryan.

New Milton: Baldacchino, Booker, Colman, Evans, Fields, Gajic, Holland, Hughes, Lever, Loader, White. Sub: Mott.

<•>Bournemouth Poppies lost for the third successive occasion in the league, 2-1 at Blackfield & Langley last night.

Mark Hartmann and Lee Burch fired Blackfield 2-1 in front.