A one-run win by the Firsts highlighted Round 13 action on Saturday.

Making his first start in the top grade, John Britton pitched into the final inning against Heathmont as Doncaster earned a much-needed 4-3 win on the road.

The Dragons got on the board early, with cleanup hitter Liam Robertson’s two-out double driving home Brendan McDonald in the top of the first. Despite failing to score again in the inning, Doncaster would go on to load the bases and force the Penguins to turn to their bullpen to escape the jam.

With Britton in control on the mound, the Dragons had plenty of baserunners and stretched their lead to 4-2 but couldn’t land the knockout blow as Heathmont’s four pitchers worked in and out of trouble throughout the game.

The home side closed to within a run when coach Mitch Ayres homered leading off the bottom of the last but that was as close as the Penguins would get. Called on from second base to relieve Britton with the tying run aboard, Derek Medlin secured the final outs with a minimum of fuss to lock down his first save of the season.

The fifth-placed Dragons (6-7) will look to make up ground on the top four when they host winless Essendon next week.

Earlier, the Reserves erased a three-run deficit late before ultimately falling 9-8. 

Against Melbourne Uni at Deep Creek, the Thirds won 11-2 and the Fourths lost 16-3.