Drama abounded on the first day of the new season as Ebbsfleet United came from behind on Saturday to beat newly-promoted Nuneaton by the odd goal in nine.

Liam Daish’s new-look Fleet side could barely have made a worse start to their Blue Square Bet Premier campaign, conceding twice inside the first 18 minutes.

First, Andy Brown side-footed home Stephen O’Halloran’s cross to put Nuneaton in front and Adam Walker doubled their lead with a shot from outside the box.

The visitors needed a quick riposte and they got it when Tom Phipp (pictured) drilled a free-kick through the wall to halve the deficit.

Nathan Elder then marked his Fleet debut with a goal, heading home Joe Howe’s cross to restore parity.

Ebbsfleet continued their remarkable comeback just after the half-hour when another summer signing, Moses Ashikodi, finished from an acute angle to put his new side in front.

Nuneaton almost got themselves back on level terms before the interval but Walker’s header struck the crossbar.

Things got even better for the Fleet early in the second period when Liam Enver-Marum smashed home a fourth goal.

However, Robbie Thompson-Brown powered a shot home to make it 4-3 and the same player missed the perfect opportunity to equalise when his penalty was saved by Preston Edwards.

For all their promise in attack, the Fleet looked anxious as the game wore on. Those nerves were settled with two minutes remaining, though, Phipp firing in off the underside of the crossbar.

Brown headed home a late consolation but the Fleet walked away with three points on the opening weekend for only the second time in 11 years.