Jersey Bulls’ first-ever match in the eighth tier of English football ended in a 1-1 draw at Margate.
The island side were promoted to Isthmian League South East last season after winning the Combined Counties Premier South play-offs.
Luke Campbell went close with a header in the third minute for the islanders before Fraser Barlow gave Bulls the lead.
He calmly slotted home after being set up by an impressive run from Miguel Carvalho down the right.
The hosts almost equalised on the stroke of half-time when Ben Greenhalgh chipped debutant goalkeeper Daniel Jinadu but saw his effort come back off the post.
But the hosts did level three minutes after the break when Sam Blackman reacted quickest to poke home after a corner had been kept alive by Harry Hudson.
Margate had a decent chance to take all three points in the 87th minute but substitute Kieron Agbebi headed Blu Hursthwaite’s cross over the bar.