Fleet Town finally got their league programme moving on Saturday, picking up a deserved point against one of last season's front-runners, Banbury Utd.
The point came courtesy of a late equaliser by Fleet striker, Mark Frampton, his fourth of the season so far in 8 starts, and brought to an end Fleet's run of five league defeats on the spin.
But Frampton's goal in the 83rd minute came just too late for his side to capitalise on what had been a strong second-half showing that could have produced more goals than it did.
Fleet started the game with the familiar figure of Ade Creamer in between the posts, who was standing in for Steve May, suspended after being sent off in the game at Sittingbourne two weeks ago. The popular Creamer had been part of Fleet's promotion-winning season two years ago under then-manager, Steve Beeks, who was announced this week as the new manager of Ryman League side, Molesey.
But missing from manager Mick Catlin's line-up on Saturday was striker, Shea Saunders, who has disappointed the Fleet faithful by signing for Winchester City in the week he was due to return to Calthorpe Park.
The Fleet side started the slower of the two sides on Saturday, and the visitors quickly took the advantage, putting the Fleet goal under pressure. A cross from wing-back, Wayne Blossom found the woodwork in the 10th minute as did a shot from striker George Redknapp, 5 minutes later.
Banbury eventually took the lead in the 34th minute, when a fortunate re-bound was gathered in by Blossom on the right and his cross found an unmarked Redknapp, who headed in from close range.
After the break, Fleet managed to raise their game and within minutes of the re-start it was almost all-square but mid-fielder Steve Black couldn't quite latch on to a great through ball from Frampton. Further chances then fell to Frampton and skipper, Craig Anstey.
With 18 minutes remaining Catlin then rang the changes, bringing on a third striker, Ed Smith, and losing one from the back four. The change seemed to work for Fleet as the Banbury defence were kept on the back foot for the rest of the game.
The equaliser eventually came from Frampton with a powerful right-footed shot from 15 yards out, into the top right-hand corner, after a great knock-down by fellow striker Barry Parker.
Fleet then went all out for the winner. Sub Smith went close after a fine run late on, but Banbury had done enough in the first half to deserve a share of the points.
FLEET TOWN: Creamer, Buckland, Millerick, (sub Smith, 72 mins), Murphy, Blakely, Jeffrey, (Proctor, 75), Black, Anstey, Parker, Frampton, Hale. Subs not used: Tiller, Martin, Hare. Attendance: 182.