Manager Jarrod Suddick's side entertained Wark, just promoted back into the league's top flight and it was a very close game at the Leisure Centre with an eventual thrilling finale.

Both teams had good chances early on with Wark's Lee Telfer heading just over from Marc Nixon's cross and the lively Phillip Robinson's drive for the visitors tipped over the bar by David Peters in the home goal.

Ponteland also had their moments and a good cross from Kevin McGorie was tipped away by Wark keeper Chris Welton. The ball fell to Dominic Clauzel and with the keeper on the ground he saw his effort blocked by a crowd of bodies on the goal line. Then Welton palmed out a Liam McIvor cross but no one was available for Ponteland to apply the finishing touch.

Seventy goalless minutes had elapsed when the game burst into life. And it was Wark who managed the first breakthrough as substitute Alistair Stobbs wasn't challenged and fired left-footed into the bottom corner past an unsighted Peters.

With eight minutes remaining United's McGorie headed home his side's equaliser from McIvor's free kick and with only five minutes left it was Wark's turn to be stunned.

Pont's substitute Joe Dawson collected the ball 20 yards out to send a screamer into the top left hand corner of the net but his side's celebrations were brief.

With Wark pressing to get back on terms they caught Ponteland out and Lee Telfer scored with a simple tap-in the make the final score 2-2.

Under new management, Alnwick Town faced a tough opening game in Carlisle. Last season's runners-up Harraby Catholic were the Town's first day hosts and they were narrowly beaten 2-1.

The game was deadlocked up to the 58th minute with Alnwick giving a good account of themselves. But when ex-Gillford Park striker Lee Otway put Harraby in front the Northumbrians were up against it. Alan Casey then doubled the home side's lead and only two minutes remained when Craig Henderson got Alnwick off the mark.

Like Alnwick, Ashington Colliers got off to a losing start despite having home advantage against Gillford Park. The Park, out to improve on their third place finish in the last campaign, emerged as 2-0 victors but it wasn't easy and the Colliers looked always looked dangerous even after Mark Butler had given the Cumbrians a 43rd minute lead.

The visitors were very relieved to see Darren Addison bagging their second with five minutes to go.

Defending champions Walker Central got off to a good start at Monkchester by beating visitors Shankhouse 4-2. Goals inside the opening half hour for Walker's David Thompson (2) and John Campbell put Shankhouse on the back foot.

They promised a recovery with second half replies from Gavin and Craig Keen but were killed off by David Dormand's fourth goal for the Central.

Heddon, who were among the front runners for most of last season, started confidently with a 6-3 victory over Peterlee Town at Bullocksteads.