TEENAGE striker Leon Best last night overshadowed more senior names as he showed the sort of form that could yet encourage Paul Sturrock to hand the 17-year-old his senior debut.

The academy forward, pictured above, belted a hat-trick as Saints opened their reserve league campaign with a 4-1 win at Derby County, the team that finished one place above them in second spot last season.

Reserve boss Dennis Rofe included Paul Telfer, Peter Crouch and Neil McCann in his starting XI against the Rams - three first team squad members that didn't start at Aston Villa.

But it was Best, who last season helped Saints Under-19s win the national title, who caught the eye.

Best sat on the bench at Plymouth and Swindon in pre-season friendlies without getting a taste of the action.

But that could well change if the former Notts County youngster continues in the vein he did last night - especially as Sturrock has continually insisted in recent weeks that he won't be frightened of giving youth its chance.

Rofe said: "Leon got a bit of help for the goals but you have to be in the right place at the right time.

"He showed his persistence and got the goals as his reward."

Crouch, who came on as a second half sub at Villa last weekend, was handed a full game last night to sharpen up his match fitness ahead of Blackburn's Sky-televised visit at the weekend.

"It was important that Peter Crouch got 90 minutes," admitted Rofe.

"It keeps his sharpness up and all the senior players came through which is good - because you know they are going to be needed sooner or later."

Telfer turned in a solid performance while McCann, one player who could well fill the problem left-sided midfield slot in the Saints first team, failed to really sparkle.

Leandre Griffit was due to have started the match but the French youngster - who scored on his senior debut at home to Blackburn last season - was withdrawn after tweaking a knee in training yesterday morning."

Derby Res v Saints Res - see Match Reports.