Hitchin Town's opening game of the new Southern League season ended in a loss.

The Canaries were beaten 3-1 at home to Bromsgrove Sporting in the Premier Division Central.

They had fallen behind on 17 minutes to a Shay Palmer goal but Rio Deall, making his debut after signing from AFC Dunstable, levelled seven minutes later.

The goal owed a lot to Coree Wilson. He used his body to rid himself of his marker and then raced off down the right flank before his cross left defender and keeper stranded.

That left Deall with the relatively simple task of side-footing home.

They had lost Shane Bush just before that though, the skipper dislocating his shoulder, and they were then hit by a sucker punch two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half, James Meddows restoring Bromsgrove's lead.

There followed a lot of huff and puff from Brett Donnelly's men but the visitors, expected to be at the top end of the division come the end of April, wrapped things up nine minutes from time through Charles Wragg.

A trip to another of the promotion favourites, Stamford, comes tonight (Tuesday).

Stotfold had a disappointing day in Division One Central, losing 4-0 to recently relegated Berkhamsted, but Arlesey Town had an worse outing.

They went down to a crushing 6-1 loss at home to Colney Heath in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

They had taken the lead after just five minutes at New Lamb Meadow, Ezra Forde the scorer, but a stunning bicycle-kick equaliser from George Sippetts changed the contest altogether and put the visiting Magpies in charge from then on.

Sippetts would complete his hat-trick while there were two for Billy Owen and one for Joe Caffery.

Baldock Town got their opening win of the season though, beating Dunstable Town 1-0 away, and they did it in the best possible way.

The match had reached stoppage time when and Riley Carr provided the catalyst for joyous scenes.

It all stemmed from a Dunstable corner that eventually found its way to Baldock keeper Tautvydas Poniskaitis.

His reactions were superb and with Dunstable still retreating back to their half, he launched a quick kick over the top of the defence for Carr to run on to.

Dunstable keeper was in no-man's land and Carr nodded the ball over him before scoring despite a very tight angle.

Baldock host Kempston Rovers tonight (Tuesday) while Arlesey go to Potton United.

In Division One, Letchworth Eagles were beaten 5-3 away to Leighton Town Res, the goals coming from William Blair, Rory Gillham and Luke Baranowski.

The Eagles go to Ampthill Town tonight (Tuesday).

Codicote started their Division Two season with a 1-0 loss at Padbury Village.

They host New Bradwell St Peter on Saturday.