NOT even a last-ditch penalty that cost two points could take the shine off Redditch Borough's new chapter at the Mettis Sports & Social Club.

Julian Workman’s men battled back from an early deficit with substitute Callum Hall and returning defender Gareth ‘Chopper’ Hodgetts turning the tables on Moors Academy in the final 10 minutes on Saturday.

However, the visitors notched the leveller from 12 yards to snatch a scarcely-deserved 2-2 draw as Borough’s senior side completed its first competitive fixture at the club’s new headquarters.

The outcome may not have been the perfect ending but there are still plenty of smiles to be seen with popular figure Hodgetts back, a bumper crowd of 232 for the curtain raiser and to cap it all off, Borough sit top of the embryonic Midland League Division Two standings.

“Maybe someone somewhere thought the week we had enjoyed had been too good to be true,” joked boss Workman.

“All in all, though, I cannot complain. We were dominant throughout the game, created lots of chances that could have put us out of sight and everyone enjoyed the day.

“Whatever the result, Saturday was always going to be a success because so many supporters, volunteers, sponsors and well wishers came to be there for an historic day for our club.

“Of course, you feel a bit of disappointment to drop points at the end, especially when you know you deserved a lot more, but with the way we have started we have every reason to feel confident moving forward.”

Borough’s lofty position was earned by bashing Fairfield Villa 5-1 on their own patch last Tuesday, a match which saw Dave Phelan, Mat Fearon, Craig Malins, Tom Trow-Poole and Ashley Woodfield register goals.

Saturday see attention turn to the Les James Challenge Cup, a competition Borough reached the final of last season, with a home tie against second-placed league rivals Montpellier (3pm).

That is followed by a short trip to Feckenham in the league on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).