JONATHAN Greening is hoping his goal in today's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth - his first in 60 games - will get his manager and team-mates off his back for a while.

The Baggies skipper came close to opening his account for the season against Wigan last weekend in a new role playing just off striker Ishmael Miller.

And today he went one better by firing Albion into a 39th-minute lead, only to see Peter Crouch's deflected leveller 20 minutes later deny Albion a first win in nine games.

"It is frustrating to only draw," said Greening.

"We went 1-0 up but couldn't bury the game.

"We conceded a deflected goal and that seems to be the luck we're having at the moment.

"We should have been a couple of goals up though and then it probably would have been over and done with.

"It's good to at least move off 11 points but it would have been better to get three points."

The former Manchester United and Middlesbrough ace quipped: "It's been a long wait for me to get a goal.

"The gaffer's always having a go at me for not scoring more.

"Every gaffer I've ever had has said the same but it's not through lack of trying.

"It was nice to score today.

"It bounced awkwardly for me and I think I mishit it.

"But it gets my team-mates off my back for a bit.

"I've been enjoying my role further up the pitch in a different position.

"It's the first time I've ever played it and I'm really enjoying it."

PIC: GOAL GLORY...Greening celebrates his Pompey strike

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