Hayes & Yeading returned from Devon with an opening day point after coming back from two goals down at Tiverton Town courtesy of goals from James Clark and substitute Ogo Obi, the equaliser coming when United only had ten men with Matt Hall being dismissed on the hour after receiving a second yellow card.

With a strong wind in their favour it was the home side who started quickest with a burst forwards in just the second minute by Jordan Bastin saw him find Jared Lewington on the right, his pullback providing a shooting chance for George Nancekivell but his effort was too high.

Minutes later the hosts were ahead. A short free-kick was delivered to the far post where centre-back Michael Landricombe rose above United stopper Ravan Constable to head home.

With United struggling to get forwards, the only efforts up to the half hour mark came from around 40 yards and both for the Devonians, the first bouncing over Constable before going marginally wide, the other sailing over the crossbar.

Just before the break another chance for the home side saw home skipper River Allen fire in a 35 yard free-kick that Constable held by the post and we went in at the break a goal down and without an effort on goal.

The second half didn't start any better as it took the home side just 38 seconds to double their advantage as Constable collided with Ismail Yakubu in trying to clear a through ball, the loose ball going to Olaf Koszela wide on the right and he slid the ball perfectly back into the vacant net.

This seemed to kick United into life however. On 54 minutes Paul Hughes' side were back in the game, Lyle Della-Verde's neat flick found James Clark who played the ball left to Toby Little, he tried to curl the ball into the far corner only for home 'keeper Lewis Williams to parry the ball away but then as it was played back into the middle Clark was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the Tiverton net to bring life to the visitors.

Six minutes later United were to go a man down when the already cautioned Matt Hall slid in and caught Noah Smerdon who was in full flight down the left, referee Hobbs showing a second yellow and subsequent red to the United defender.

Four minutes later the home side "got away with one" when a long Keano Robinson throw-in struck Nancekivell in trying to clear and went straight into his own 'keepers arms when yard either side would have potentially seen an own goal and United level.

On 66 minutes a change up front saw Elliot Benyon replaced by Ogo Obi, this was to prove a master stroke by Paul Hughes as the debutant striker levelled the game four minutes later. United, in line with new drop ball regulations after an injury stoppage, received the ball on the right with Della-Verde instantly firing across the box to Obi who fired home on the turn low into the corner from 15 yards out.

Despite having ten men, United still looked most dangerous on the break while staying solid at the back, the only chances for the hosts saw Landricombe get his head to an Allen free-kick only to head over and in stoppage time United were indebted to Keano Robinson who threw himself in to block away a drive, with United closing out stoppage time to bring a point back to Middlesex in our return to step 3 football after a two year absence.

Report by Kevin Watts.

United Man of the Match: Keano Robinson.