A fortunate but spirited Borussia Dortmund II kicked off their Regional League campaign with a victory on Saturday, claiming a 2-1 (1-1) win over SG Wattenscheid 09 thanks to Oliver Steuer's winner in the 89th minute. "We're absolutely delighted. All in all it was a deserved victory," said coach Jan Siewert after the final whistle.

"It was a moral victory," declared midfielder Patrick Pflücke, who added: "We've got our season off to a decent start and will now look to build on that."

The most important passages of play in the first period all came within the space of eight minutes. Michael Eberwein got a touch on Pflücke's 28th-minute free-kick to put BVB's U23s ahead before Felix Clever took advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Dominik Reimann, who completely missed the ball, to equalise for Wattenscheid six minutes later.

The Black & Yellows were lacking penetration in the final third. Centre-forward Janni Serra, who was making his first start, cut an isolated figure, while Siewert's charges also made it too easy for their opponents at the back.

BVB improved little in terms of creativity after the break, with only a deflected header from Michael Eberwein posing any danger (66). Wattenscheid twice came close to taking the lead through Manuel Glowacz, but Reimann denied the first chance with an "outstanding reflex save" (Siewert) – the ball rebounded onto the post – and Mainka cleared the second off the line after the goalkeeper had already been beaten. Reimann then denied Joseph Boyamba in the 81st minute.

Siewert brought on attack-minded youngsters Beyhan Ametov and Anargyros Kampetsis in a bid to give the Black & Yellows more speed down the flanks, while Eberwein took Serra's place at centre-forward. The clash seemed destined for a draw until Oliver Steurer headed home a late winner, sparking jubilant scenes.

BVB: Reimann – Sauerland, Mainka, Steurer, Chato – Ornatelli, Dietz (Bah-Traore, 90) – Bockhorn, Pflücke (Ametov, 72), Eberwein – Serra (Kampetsis, 76)
Goals: 1-0 Eberwein (28), 1-1 Clever (34), 2-1 Steurer (89)
Attendance: 629
Florian Groeger