The side were without one or two key players, including young England striker Tom Siddans, but would have been hoping to get the better of visiting Raunds.

The first half contained few notable moments, though Scott in the Town goal was called upon to make a couple of saves and Kirton saw his effort pushed for a corner after the ball was headed onto him by Shaw.

The pivotal moment of the half was the awarding of a penalty to Sleaford when Hunter was judged to have been fouled in the box. It was Hunter who stepped up to take the spot kick but he didn't strike it well and the keeper made a comfortable save.

It was a miss Town were to rue as the half ended goal-less, with the home side failing to capitalise on a strong following wind.

Town had a couple of good chances to take the lead, with Jason Sedlan and Hunter both narrowly missing the target, before 12 minutes after the restart a foul by Machin presented Raunds with a free kick in a dangerous position and slack defending let the visitors in for the opening goal.

Five minutes later Raunds doubled their advantage when a well struck shot from the edge of the box beat Scott.

Sleaford manager Brian Rowland then made a double substitution, bringing on Ben Thompson and Pete Sutton to replace Jamie Shaw and Sam Kirton.

Thompson and Sutton were soon in the action, with Sutton asking questions of the Raunds defence with his surging runs.

It was the start of a good spell for the home side and the impressive Hunter, put in the clear by an accurate cross from Sutton, found the back of the net to give Town the goal they desperately needed.

Hopes of a Town comeback now seemed possible but when Sedlan hit over from close range, it was evident it just wasn't going to be their day.

Ten minutes from time, Raunds wrapped up the points with their third goal. Similar to their opener it came from a free kick and poor defending allowed the ball to go straight through a four-man wall and inside the near post.

The Boss:

TOWN manager Brian Rowland was understandably disappointed by his side's season opener.

He said: "Raunds were a useful, workmanlike side, with a strong back four who gave nothing away.

"But we didn't take our chances and didn't defend very well, especially for their two free kicks. That was particularly disappointing as we have been working on defending free kicks and corners in training.

"After producing some good form in our pre-season friendlies, we had hoped to do better in this game, but we were made to pay for our mistakes both up front and at the back."

*Last night, Town were due to play at Boston in their second Premier Division game of the season and on Saturday they are in FA Cup action at home to Ely.