Bognor started life in the premier division with a morale-boosting 4-1 victory against Braintree to show that they can mix it with the big boys.

They took the lead in the 24th minute when Guy Rutherford arrowed home a Richard Hudson cross into the far corner.

Hudson should have increased the lead but pulled his effort into the side netting and the visitors levelled when Ben Cranfield rifled home an unstoppable volley in the 43rd minute.

Bognor skipper Michael Birmingham did not return after the break after a crude tackle and was replaced by Daniel Beck, who is on loan from Albion.

The home side regained the lead in the 65th minute when Hudson saw his effort deflected past keeper Paul Rutherford.

The visitors were reduced to ten men in the 82nd minute when David Culverhouse was sent off for verbal abuse and Bognor took full advantage when Steve Sargent scored and Beck capped his debut with an excellent goal.

Manager Jack Pearce said "It's nice to get off to a good start, the boys did well and played some good football at times."

Mark Pulling scored on his debut as Worthing opened their division one south campaign with a 1-1 draw at Windsor and Eton in their first match under new boss Alan Pook.

Pulling headed his new side in front on 20 minutes from Ben Carrington's cross, but Worthing were pegged back ten minutes before the break when Leon Townley levelled.

Defender Andrew Beech trod on the ball after a cross by Terry O'Connor and it fell nicely for Townley who pounced from six yards.

Windsor were reduced to ten men two minutes before the break when Dave Tilbury was dismissed for bringing down Carrington from behind. Carrington was fouled again seven minutes from time as the hosts' Spencer Walsh also saw red for a second bookable offence.

Rebels, who gave debuts to five players including former Albion pair Ross Johnson and Paul Rogers, could have snatched victory but substitute Peter Brackley was denied by keeper Chuck Martini.