Crawley made the perfect start to life in the Conference but were left with a poignant reminder of how difficult it is going to be.

No longer will they be able to stroll past opponents, score at will and pick up silverware.

Reds were formidable when winning an historic Dr Martens League and cup double last season.

Leigh went the same way on Saturday, but only just. Crawley were nervy in the first half and had to battle back from a goal down with a double from Charlie MacDonald.

Manager Francis Vines is concerned because Leigh will almost certainly be one of the weakest teams in the division.

Arguably, they should not even be in it, having finished second-bottom last year, only to escape relegation on a technicality.

They are badly supported with around 200 fans, play in a run-down rugby stadium and struggle to attract players of any note.

But they caused Crawley problems and took the lead after 15 minutes with a scrappy goal by Craig Gaunt, who was left unmarked to slot in a cross from close range.

It will be a different situation tomorrow night, when Reds face title-favourites Hereford United at the Broadfield Stadium and Vines is hoping the first-day nerves do not continue.

He said: "I wouldn't say Leigh were the best team in the world and I can see they are going to have a hard season.

"Let's hope we don't have it just as hard. The first half was not good. It was mainly down to being nervous because it was the first Conference game in the history of the club. At least, I'm hoping that is what it was.

"We were not happy about the goal because it was bad defending. The players will have to learn quickly because the last thing we want to do is defend like that when we play sides like Hereford, where we could be two or three nil down in the first 20 minutes.

"Hopefully, this will be the only nervous game and the players can settle down and get on with it properly on Tuesday night."

Vines says his players were too easily out-muscled by Leigh and has told them to toughen up.

He said: "We knew Leigh RMI were going to be big, strong and play a physical game, like most northern teams. The players have to stand up for themselves and not be bullied. They have to take the tackles and give them back.

"That's what they have to learn to do because it won't be all pretty, pretty stuff like it has been in pre-season. It's now thunder and lightning."

Crawley showed a glimpse of last season's form after half time.

They got back on level terms on 53 minutes with a MacDonald penalty given for handball.

The decision was disputed by the home side, who argued defender Martyn Moran did not deliberately handle Mo Harkin's cross.

Vines said: "The penalty was quite fortunate and I was surprised he gave it because Mo was only about five or six yards away and he lashed it straight at him."

It is hardly surprising Reds took time to get going because five of the starting line-up were making their league debuts.

Neil Jenkins and Ian Simpemba were in the back four, Charlie Mapes started in the centre of midfield, with latest recruit Adrian Deane on the left flank.

Former Stafford striker Danny Davidson was given the nod ahead of Dan Marney and it was the 6ft 5in target man whose header rebounded off the bar, leaving MacDonald to tap in the winner 11 minutes from time.

MacDonald said: "When we came in at half time we knew, with no disrespect to Leigh, that they could not do any more and we had a lot more in the tank.

"It was just a case of upping the tempo and things started to click. In the end we were like we were last year, which is what we've got to try and do.

"We have a team of winners and it is important not to lose that, even if we're playing better teams."

Reds have been tipped at 25-1 to win the title and are being talked about as outsiders for the play-offs.

However, MacDonald, who had previous Conference experience with Stevenage, insists the players are staying realistic.

He said: "We know we needed to get a result because Leigh are part-time, like us, and we have to pick up points against sides like that.

"Games against the full-time teams are going to be a lot harder so our aim is to win the mini-league between the part-timers, then try and get as many points against the better teams like Hereford."

Leigh: Martyn, Lane, Moran, Stoker (Rose 59), Miller, Gaunt, Meecham, Holmes, Mitchell, Peyton, Adams (Roscoe 68).

Subs not used: Smith, Simms, Morton.

Crawley: Little, Judge, Jenkins, Hemsley, Simpemba, Mapes, Harkin, Kember, Davidson, MacDonald, Deane (Marney 68).

Subs not used: Smith, Palmer, Traynor, Tait.