THE 2009/10 season started in the Brighton sunshine as we made the long journey to the Withdean Stadium.
An impressive first half showing saw us go in at the break one goal to the good courtesy of Andrew Whing's own goal. We had to withstand some second half pressure, but held on to claim a deserved victory to start the season on a winning note.
A trip to Accrington Stanley followed in the first round of the Carling Cup and on a wet and gloomy evening in Lancashire, Alex Nicholls gave us a first half lead.
Following Rhys Weston's red card, the home side went on to draw level before winning the tie late on.
Our first home game saw Southend United provide the opposition and things looked good as Steve Jones gave us an early lead.
Rarely looking in any danger of losing our one-goal advantage, we were reduced to ten men for the second game in a row with the dismissal of Dwayne Mattis for two yellow cards before a poor throw-out from Clayton Ince gave the visitors a lifeline as Lee Barnard equalised.
Worse was to follow when experienced substitute, Dougie Freedman put The Shrimpers ahead, but Sam Parkin was able to rescue a point as he won and coolly converted a last-gasp penalty.
We were straight back into home action with the visit of Leeds United three days later.
A large and vocal crowd of almost 8,500 were treated to a full-blooded encounter with both sides working hard.
Sam Parkin gave The Saddlers the lead from the penalty spot with just over ten minutes to go but this was cancelled out by Bradley Johnson's equaliser just four minutes later.
The highly-rated Jermaine Beckford won the game for the visitors with just three minutes left on the clock.
Our tough schedule of matches continued with a trip to the much-fancied Charlton Athletic.
Chris Hutchings' side were second-best for much of the game as the home side range out 2-0 winners, although skipper, Mark Hughes did have a goal ruled out for offside.
The month ended with a home game against Gillingham.
As it turned out, both sides never looked like scoring and the match ended in a goalless stalemate.
