The first day of the Conference season threw up a few surprises, and also saw Oxford move off the bottom of the table following their 3-0 defeat at Barrow last night. United went above Stevenage Borough, who lost 5-0 at relegated Wrexham, for whom Jefferson Louis scored the second goal. The other team relegated from the Football League last season, Mansfield Town, drew 2-2 at Ebbsfleet United after being 2-0 down. Former Oxford triallist Michael Gash gave Ebbsfleet the lead, while the Stags' first goal was scored by last season's loanee Michael Blackwood.

Of the three promoted teams that were in action today, the only losers were Eastbourne Borough, who were beaten 1-0 at home by Rushden & Diamonds. At Rockingham Road, John Dempster gave Kettering the lead, but they were pegged back to draw 1-1 with Forest Green Rovers. Lewes drew 1-1 at Kidderminster Harriers, for whom Justin Richards gave them the lead.

Other former Oxford players to find the net included Joel Ledgister, who equalised for Woking on his debut, but saw the Cards still go down 2-1 at home to Altrincham. Tim Sills put Torquay ahead from the penalty spot at Histon, but the Cambridgeshire equalised to earn a point. In the day's other Conference fixtures, York won 1-0 at Crawley, Cambridge United won 1-0 at Northwich Victoria, and Burton Albion also won 1-0 at Salisbury City. Weymouth, who visit Oxford on Tuesday, beat Grays Athletic 3-1.