ST Helens Town gained a draw in a tough opening game of the new football season away to fellow promotion hopefuls Stretford Paddock at Hyde United's ground in front an enthusiastic away following.

Town, featuring three teenage debutants in Charlie Leech, Sant and Hanson, got off to a great start when Liam Diggle lobbed the Paddock keeper on six minutes only to see his effort bounce back off the bar.

Fortunately, livewire Leech followed up to bag his first league goal for the Blues, sending the 40 travelling Town fans into raptures.

The joy was shortlived, however, becaause on 13 minutes Pratt took advantage of a defensive mix-up to level for Paddock.

Aside from that, Town had the better of the first half and were unfortunate not to be ahead at half time after Dale Whitehead's free kick had hit the post.

Paddock came out to start the second half much better and caused Town problems on the break.

And this was the case on 57 minutes when João De Andrade turned on the edge of the box and fired past Jenkinson's outstretched hand to put Paddock 2-1 up.

Town responded with all guns blazing and took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Player of the match Charlie Simpson started to trouble Paddock down the right and Leech struck the woodwork after another raid.

Finally on 78 minutes talisman and captain Diggle fired high into the Paddock net to equalise.

Diggle hit the side netting as Town looked the stronger team in the closing stages but had to settle for a point as the game stayed locked at 2-2.

In past seasons Town may have folded at 2-1 down and conceded further goals.

However, this Town vintage seem to have a resilience that belies the average age of this season's squad and the Marksmen will be buoyed with a point away to a team that are favourites to win the league.

The game was live streamed with commentary to an audience that included many overseas viewers due to Paddocks' professional social media presence.

The Blues debuted a new kit, sponsored by Critical Business Solutions, that is based heavily on the 1987 Wembley winning kit.

As fans travelled home along the M62 this performance may well have had them wondering whether it's time for Town to win some long overdue silverware for the first time since those blue shirts looked so good under the Wembley sunshine on that famous afternoon.