Ghana Under 20 team came from behind to beat their Gambian counterparts 2-1 in the first leg of the final qualifying round of the 2009 African Youth Championship finals on Sunday.

As commentated by West Coast radio's Bakary B Baldeh who travelled with the team, The Gambia could have snatched a previous win after Paul Jatta opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

However, a lackluster second half display saw the home side scored two quick goals to seal a 2-1 first leg win.

The Baby Scorpions must overturn the first-leg deficit when they host the Black Starlets on October 12, in Banjul, in order to earn their second appearance in the Africa's second-most prestigious football competition.

Yesterday's setback, which saw coach Lamin Sarr, who was elevated to replace Italian coach Lorenzo Rubbinacci, started his tenure with a defeat also marked The Gambia Under 20's first-ever defeat in a competitive match since 2006.