Boreham Wood kicked off their 2017/18 National League campaign with a 2-2 draw away to AFC Fylde on Saturday.

The Wood will be keen to build on an impressive 11th-placed finish last season, and returned from Lancashire with a point after both sides shared the lead.

Wood boss Luke Garrard handed competitive debuts to Kane Smith, Keiran Murtagh, Jamie Turley, Tom Champion and the vastly experienced Paul Benson.

But things got off to the worst possible start for Garrard’s men when they conceded after just 17 minutes at Mill Farm.

The source of the goal will be of added frustration with the hosts having Danny Woodards to thank for finding the back of his own net, coming straight from a fizzing Zaine Francis-Angol cross.

It came after an uncharacteristically slow start as Wood stopper Grant Smith had earlier got down well to stop Danny Rowe’s audacious effort.

The Hertfordshire side were fortunate not to find themselves further adrift after Andy Bond evaded the attentions of the Wood defence, only to fire wide when well placed.

Undeterred however, Boreham Wood’s response was a positive one and they clawed their way back into the contest right on the stroke of half time.

Angelo Balanta’s driving run acted as the catalyst for the equaliser and his dangerous cross was met by Ricky Shakes who made no mistake to head home.

That goal seemed to have the desired effect in lifting the visitors and providing the momentum for the Wood to grab the lead just after half-time.

Fylde failed to properly deal with Shakes’ cross and when the ball presented itself for debutant Smith, he made no mistake to head past Rhys Taylor as Boreham Wood snatched the lead.

However the hosts would soon battle back and level against the run of play. It was a brilliant bit of individual play as Jonny Smith burst through on the counter-attack before lashing an effort beyond his namesake Smith for 2-2.

And Boreham Wood had their ‘keeper to thank for ensuring they returned south with a share of the spoils after Smith produced a fine save to deny Rowe what would have certainly have been the winner.

Next up for the Meadow Park side is the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge tomorrow evening (Tuesday) in Boreham Wood’s first home game of the season.