JUST like Barrow, FC Halifax Town started their National League season with victory over one of the newly-promoted sides.

Helped by an impressive display by ex-Barrow player Ben Tomlinson, the Shaymen came away from National League South play-off winners Braintree Town with three points thanks to a 2-0 win.

Goals from new signings Jonathan Edwards and Nathan Clarke ensured a three-point haul on the opening day for manager Jamie Fullarton, whose arrival at the Shay in February preceded an upturn in fortunes for a club who had been embroiled in a relegation battle previously.

Halifax will be looking to reverse their form against Barrow from last season, when they drew 0-0 at Holker Street in the equivalent fixture to tonight’s second game of the season, before going down 1-0 at the Shay following Jordan White’s goal just seconds after he came off the bench.

Fullarton was happy with the start to the season from his side, who have recently switched to being full-time, and he told Halifax’s official club website: “It was most definitely the result and performance we wanted.

“Clean sheets are important. There were questions asked or raised during preseason when we didn’t have a clean sheet.

“Ultimately, when there are three points on the table, that’s when the clean sheets come in and I think that gave us the foundation to go on and win the game in quite comfortably in the second half.”

Looking ahead to tonight’s game, he added: “We will now focus on the recovery for the players and me and the staff looking at how they are.

“We’re really excited about it, because we are at home, and playing at home is really what you want to do as a football player and as part of the club because you want to hear the home fans cheering you on.

“So hopefully we’ll perform to a level where it will encourage them to support us.”

Tonight’s Fixtures (all 7.45pm kick-offs): Barnet v Braintree Town, Bromley v Dover Athletic, Chesterfield v Aldershot Town, Dagenham and Redbridge v Maidstone United, FC Halifax Town v Barrow AFC, Gateshead v Salford City, Hartlepool United v Harrogate Town, Havant and Waterlooville v Boreham Wood, Leyton Orient v Ebbsfleet United, Solihull Moors v Maidenhead United, Sutton United v Eastleigh, Wrexham v AFC Fylde.