Pitchero Non League

Following on from Friday night`s 2-1 win by Blue Square Bet Premier new boys Hereford United against the side who came down from npower League Two with them, Macclesfield Town, Saturday`s full fixture list included two staggering results.

Mansfield Town, one of the favourites for promotion, were beaten 4-3 at home by FA Trophy runners-up Newport County, while newly-promoted Nuneaton Town went down to a 5-4 defeat at Liberty Way to Ebbsfleet United.

Justin Edinburgh`s Newport side had a great start at Field Mill when Ismail Yakubu headed in Andy Sandell's free-kick to put County in front after 10 minutes and then Tony James fired home a half-volley to make it 2-0 just 3 minutes later.

Jake Speight 3 minutes after the break and former Newport player Matt Green on 50 minutes pulled the Stags level but a header by ex-Luton and Rushden & Diamonds striker Aaron O'Connor restored the lead 6 minutes later.

Another new forward, Jefferson Louis, made it 4-2 on 66 minutes before Speight headed his second and Town's third goal a minute from time to give Mansfield hope, but the visitors held firm.

Nuneaton`s return to the Conference Premier started brillianty as goals from Andy Brown after 8 minutes and Adam Walker after 17 had them two-up at home to Fleet.

However, Liam Daish`s side responded superbly and went into half-time 3-2 up after goals from Tom Phill after 20 minutes, Nathan Elder 3 minutes later and Moses Ashokodi on 31 minutes.

And they extended that lead 5 minutes after the restart through Liam Enver-Marum, and although new boys Rob Thompson-Brown reduced the deficit 6 minutes later, Phipp`s second made it 5-3 with less than 2 minutes remaining, rendering Brown`s second for Boro in stoppage time as a mere consolation, albeit entertaining for the 1,088 in the ground.

Another of the title-favourites, Luton Town, attracted a terrific crowd of 6,743 as they entertained Gateshead at Kenilworth Road.

But after losing two successive promotion play-off finals, the Hatters once again disappointed their big following after being held to a 2-2 draw.

But it could have been a lot, lot worse as Luton had to come from two goals down to earn a share of the spoils.

Former Hatters striker Liam Hatch gave the Tynesiders the lead after 25 minutes by heading home Josh Gillies' corner before Yemi Odubade's clinical finish made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later.

Luton got one back debutant Jon Shaw, playing against the side he left, tapped home from close range after 61 minutes.

And 10 minutes later Stuart Fleetwood completed the comeback with the equaliser.

It was a mixed afternoon for the promoted sides, with only Hyde FC, who came up from the Conference North as champions with Nuneaton, managing to get anything, earning a 2-2 draw at Braintree Town.

This time it was Hyde who found themselves 2-0 up at Cressing Road when Scott Spencer bagged a brace in the 23rd and 36th minute – the first from the penalty spot.

The Iron`s hopes of getting back into the game were given a boost at the break though as Hyde`s Andy Pearson was shown a red card after the whistle had gone for half-time.

Kane Sheppard reduced the arrears shortly after the restart, but the ten-men looked as though they were going to hold on, until Brad Quinton popped up with Braintree`s equaliser in the 90th minute.

Dartford, promoted via the Conference South play-offs, began with a 3-2 defeat to Tamworth at Princes Park.

This was another game where a side found itself two-up – in this case it was the Lambs, courtesy of goals from new signings Peter Till after 27 minutes and Adam Cunnington on 40 minutes.

Elliott Bradbrook gave the Darts a sniff of a chance when he reduced the arrears right on half-time, but Cunnington`s second on 76 minutes gave them a mountain to climb, and although Harry Crawford pulled a second back 3 minutes later, they were unable to find a leveller.

Conference North champions Woking went down to a 3-1 defeat to fancied Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.

Rob Ogleby set Wrexham on their way with a first-time lob after 18 minutes.

The Dragons` star summer recruit, Brett Ormerod, set Dean Keates to double the lead 4 minutes before the break.

The Cards got back into the game on 66 minutes when Bradley Bubb pulled one back following a mix-up between Mark Creighton and Chris Westwood.

However, Creighton made amends to head home number three from a corner with 16 minutes to go.

Stockport County and Lincoln City were the two other opening day winners.

County beat Alfreton Town 1-0 at Edgeley Park, thanks to a 36th minute Danny Hatterslet effort, while the Imps had Jamie Taylor on target after 39 minutes as they also began the campaign with a 1-0 win over Kidderminster Harriers at Sincil Bank.

Barrow AFC and AFC Telford United shared a goalless start to the season at Holker Street, while the games at Forest Green Rovers and Southport both ended 1-1.

Rovers, quietly fancied by some to do well this season, looked like losing their opener at the New Lawn against Cambridge United as they trailed to Tom Elliott`s 33rd minute opener going into the last minute.

But defender Kevin Roberts was adjudged to have fouled James Norwood in the box and Yan Klukowski equalised from the spot.

At Haig Avenue it almost the same story as visiting Grimsby Town broke the deadlock with 16 minutes to go through Craig Disley.

But in the 87th minute Simon Grand headed `Port back on level terms to earn a point.

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