Stockton Town fell to a harsh defeat on opening day at the hands of Ilkeston Town.
Lynden Joyce’s winner deep into stoppage time broke the hearts of the travelling Anchors fans.
Michael Dunwell named both Jaedon Faulkner and Thomas Birtles into the starting lineup after the pair impressed against Middlesbrough U21’s last week.
The Anchors started the much better side, Josh Scott testing Sam Wilson’s diving ability within the opening five minutes.
Veteran Ashley Hunter had a dangerous opportunity for the hosts when he unleashed a powerful effort from distance that flew just over Nathan Harker’s crossbar.
Before the break, Layton Watts magically took on two defenders before curling a strike towards goal which had to be met by the fingertips of Sam Wilson.
Half-time: Ilkeston Town 0-0 Stockton Town
Adam Nicholson was forced off after the first half, which gave Aaron Brown a competitive debut.
After Scott saw a curling strike over the bar, Layton Watts, who impressed on his debut, picked him out again with a perfect left-footed cross but the forward’s header was too high.
Tom Coulthard thought he’d given the Anchors the lead on the 80-minute mark, but his prodded effort rebounded off the inside of the post before being cleared.
Lewis King was on high alert to clear a header that had beaten Nathan Harker, and as it looked as though that had secured a clean sheet, a long throw-in deep into stoppage time caused problems for the Stockton backline, which Lynden Joyce punished by powering past Harker to win the game for Ilkeston.
Full-time: Ilkeston Town 1-0 Stockton Town
All attention now turns to the Anchors’ home opener at the MAP Group UK Stadium on Tuesday, when they welcome Ashton United.
