MANCHESTER — Having spent almost 78 minutes working as a unit without scoring, Bedford turned to Erik Martel.

The junior striker's solo effort, an unassisted goal, netted top-seeded and unbeaten Bedford the Division II boys' soccer title with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday over second-seeded Lebanon before 949 entertained folks at Southern New Hampshire University's Larkin Field. The soccer title was Bedford's first.

The dramatic finale featured teams with contrasting offensive styles making futile scoring bids until a Lebanon clearing attempt took a weird bounce and caromed off a defender's cheek before landing at Martel's foot about 35 yards out.

“I wanted to be the guy to win it for us,” said Martel, who used speed and cunning to snake his way around three defenders. He unleashed a 15-yard crossing strike from the left side.

“This afternoon, we were doubtful about getting him on the field let alone have him run around for 80 minutes and score the winning goal,” said Bedford coach Stuart Pepper after reporting how back spasms kept Martel up most of Tuesday night and how he spent most of the day receiving medical treatment.

“That just shows his special courage and character,” said Pepper, whose squad became the sixth Bedford sports team to win a championship in the five years the school has been in existence.

“Leave it to Erik to figure out a way to score,” said Syver Klefos, who had seven of the 18 shots Bedford's possession-oriented offense created. “Lebanon's backfield was really strong. They took everything we game them.”

The game opened when Raiders midfielder Nicholas Burns rocketed an 18-yard blast off the crossbar in the second minute.

“(Lebanon) threatened the life out of us in the first five minutes,” said Pepper.

Then Bedford's possession took over. Taking advantage of the wide pitch, the Bulldogs routinely placed 20-yard passes at the foot of their teammates. All 10 field players touched the ball on some possessions, creating good scoring chances for Martel, Nolan Villeneuve and Sullivan Holt. Klefos caromed a laser shot off the right post 8:45 before intermission.

Lebanon's defense wasn't awed by Bedford's controlling nature. Keeper Austin Mansell saved four shots.

Conversely, Bedford held tough when Lebanon unleashed its quick-strike attack, turning away two bids from Burns as well as Cooper Hardy and Gary Wells-Bogue.

“We knew they would possess the ball. I thought our defense took away scoring chances all game long,” said veteran coach Rob Johnstone in his 19th season at Lebanon. His club last reached the final in 2006.

“It was quite a game. Just like a good boxing match where opposing styles make for a good match,” said Johnstone. “Offensively, we picked our spots well and just didn't finish. Too bad a fluke bounce has to land at the foot of one of the best finishers in the state.”

The second act mirrored the first with Lebanon striking quickly on a Hardy header in the first minute followed by long stretches of Bedford possessing the ball waiting for Lebanon's defense to blink.

Keeper Mansell outstretched his body to get a fingertip on John Cassidy's header in the 64th minute. Defender Andrew Inman tackled some bids. Some Bedford shots bounced off Matthew Ryder's body.

Perspective gained from last season's one-goal defeat to Hanover in the 2010 championship game kept Bedford from becoming frustrated by Lebanon's consistent defensive stands.

“We knew we had to keep our composure, no matter what,” said Martel.

The Bulldogs, 19-0-1, shut out 13 teams during the season, tallying 72 goals while surrendering seven. Lebanon, 17-2-2, held 10 clubs scoreless and outscored the opposition 62-9.

“Lebanon proved to be a tough nut to crack,” said Pepper. “We are used to controlling play and scoring, but they gave us nothing. Luckily we had some composure. Unlike last year against Hanover, we weren't overrun by the occasion.”