Boston enter with a bang

A crowd of over 4,000 packed turned up to see The Pilgrims' first taste of league action, but a poor first half for the home side saw the visitors take the lead after just nine minutes through Shaun Maher.

Soon into the second period Boston were level when Neil Young deflected Daryl Clare's effort into his own net and then 60 seconds later James Gould (pictured) put Boston ahead.

However, Bournemouth pegged them back again just a minute later as Brian Stock made it 2-2.

The point for Boston means they now stand at -3, after starting the season four points behind every other side following a Football Association penalty imposed during the summer for financial irregularities.

One of the promotion favourites Hull City endured a tough test at Boothferry Park, as they could only manage a 2-2 draw with Southend.

On-loan midfielder Stuart Green scored on his debut after just eight minutes following a great ball from Lawrie Dudfield, but The Shrimpers levelled matters midway into the second half when Neil Jenkins's cross lobbed over Matthew Glennon into the back of the net.

Hull came back again and The Tigers' record signing Stuart Elliot grabbed their second just six minutes later when he drilled home from 10 yards to cap a very good debut.

The home side's cause was not aided by the dismissal of debutant Ian Ashbee for his second bookable offence and The Humbersiders could not hang on as Southend substitute Tes Bramble grabbed a dramatic last-minute equaliser.

Cambridge could only open their account with a 1-1 draw at home to Darlington.

A near post flick from Dave Kitson after just six minutes had given the U's the lead, but Ian Clark equalised just before half time to give the Quakers a share of the spoils.

Hartlepool find themselves on top of the table after a comfortable 3-1 win over Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

Mark Tinkler brace's (33 & 71) sandwiched an effort from Richie Humphreys (47) as The Teessiders strolled their way to three points.

Brian Wake grabbed a late consolation for Roddy Collins's side.

Kidderminster were forced to come from behind at Aggborough to claim a 1-1 draw with Lincoln.

The Red Imps went in front after 11 minutes when former Sheffield Wednesday trainee Simon Weaver headed home from a corner on his debut.

Kidderminster cancelled out Weaver's effort and sealed a point after 59 minutes when Danish striker Bo Henriksen struck.

Dene Cropper was then sent off for his second bookable offensive as the visitors tried to hang on for a valuable point.

Drewe Broughton then had a golden opportunity to seal the win for Ian Britton's Harriers with just five minutes from the penalty spot, but he failed to convert.

A last minute strike from Peter Duffield gave York a 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town.

Welsh striker Matthew Tipton had given his side the lead when he rose above Scott Jones to flick home a cross from Lee Glover after 18 minutes.

But Duffield struck in the final throws of the game to make it 1-1.

Oxford began their campaign well with a 2-1 win over Bury at The Kassam Stadium.

Ian Atkins's side took the lead after 30 minutes when captain Andy Crosby converted from the penalty spot after Lee Unsworth had handled the ball.

Manny Omoyimni then doubled the lead just four minutes later when he sprinted clear to get on the end of Dean Whitehead's through ball and finish clinically.

George Clegg added a later consolation for the Shakers.

Rochdale left it late at Deepdale as Paul Connor grabbed a last-minute winner to secure a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient.

Wrexham came form behind at Glanford Park to record a good 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United.

Veteran Peter Beagrie created the opening goal for Spaniard Alex Calvo-Garcia whose header was too good for Paul Rogers in the Wrexham goal.

Howver, Andrew Morrell's strike after 65 minutes gave the Red Dragons a share of the points.

Shrewsbury started well at Gay Meadow with a 1-0 success over Exeter City.

Hot-shot Luke Rodgers opened his account for the new season after 43 minuets when he picked up a long ball from Nigel Jemson before rounding debutant Kevin Miller and slotting home.

Exeter caused was not aided by Brazilian debutant Santos Gaia who was sent off in the second half for his second bookable offence.

A four goal thriller at the Vetch Field saw Swansea City and Rushden & Diamonds come away with a point each.

Jamaican Onandi Lowe opened the scoring after 13 minutes, but Swansea's James Thomas, who arrived from Blackburn in the summer, equalised two minutes later.

Paul Reid then scored after 64 minutes, also on his debut, but then City were reduced to ten men when captain Kristian O'Leary was sent off after 74 minutes.

Rushden were then also reduced in numbers when ten minutes later Barry Hunter received his marching orders.

However, Brian Talbot's men battled until the end and captain Paul Underwood grabbed a last-minute equaliser for last year's play-off finalists.

One of the biggest upsets of the day came at Plainmoor at Torquay came from behind to defeat Bristol Rovers 2-1.

Debutant Giuliano Grazioli opened the scoring after just five minutes with a sweetly struck effort from 16 yards out, but then Torquay came back strong.

Martin Gritton, on loan from neighbours Plymouth, levelled matters just before the interval when fellow debutant Neil Prince crossed from the left and he headed home.

The Gulls then grabbed an unlikely winner after 74 minutes when Alex Russell converted from the penalty spot to give the relegation favourites a great start to the new campaign.

Click below for match summaries:
Boston 2-2 Bournemouth
Cambridge 1-1 Darlington
Carlisle 1-3 Hartlepool
Hull 2-2 Southend
Kidderminster 1-1 Lincoln
Macclesfield 1-1 York
Oxford 2-1 Bury
Rochdale 1-0 Leyton Orient
Scunthorpe 1-1 Wrexham
Shrewsbury 1-0 Exeter
Swansea 2-2 Rushden
Torquay 2-1 Bristol Rovers