The Dragons kicked off the new season in positive fashion with a strong showing against championship outfit Crystal Palace.
The Friday night pre-season friendly saw a large crowd pack the Camrose. And fans were not disappointed by what they saw as the visitors used the fixture to give a number of first-team players a run, including Julian Speroni, Andy Dorman, Dean Moxey, Darren Ambrose, Nathaniel Clyne and Sean Scannell.
Frank Gray also took the opportunity to use a number of trialists alongside his new and returning players.
Palace had the better of the play and deserved to win the game, but the home side were not disgraced and posed questions of their stronger opponents.
Town started in 4-3-3 formation with new signing, striker Tim sills up front supported by Delano Sam-Yorke and Nathan Smart. Although he did not get any decent opportunities, Sills caused the visiting defence problems with his strength and presence.
Sam-Yorke looked fit and strong, which bodes well for the coming season, and he was able to run at the visiting defence on the flank, which he did to good effect on several occasions.
Behind the strikers, Sean McAuley, another new signing, showed a positive attitude and a willingness to support the forwards and get into the area.
As well as passing the ball well and giving his opponents plenty to think about, he was unlucky in the first half with a volley over the bar and was later taken down just outside the area when he appeared to be closing in on goal.
Town were undone with a couple of defensive errors in the first half, which highlighted an area that Frank Gray will need to bolster.
Three of the back four were needed to play the whole 90 minutes and Matt Warner may be better used further up the pitch on the left side.
Palace found the back of the net in the opening minutes, but the goal was ruled out for off-side.
The opener came after 17 minutes when Warner was caught higher up the pitch than the remainder of the defence, allowing Wilfred Zaha to get in behind and slot the ball past debutant keeper Ashley Bayes one-on-one.
On the half-hour, Warner brought down Clyne in the area and Ambrose made it 2-0, but Bayes was agonisingly close to the spot kick, having gone the right way.
Town pulled a goal back five minutes from time as trialist Rob Gradwell halved the difference from the edge of the area.
Gradwell, a former Birmingham, Hayes and Yeading player, replaced McAuley and looked composed in the midfield.
Gradwell, who scored three goals in six games for Lewes at the end of the 2009/10 season, also set up a good chance for David Pratt, who produced a fine save from Lewis Price.
There were many positives for Gray to take from the evening, including new keeper Bayes.
He showed a commanding presence between the sticks and a much-needed loud voice at the back. And he pulled off some fine saves, showing that he will be an all-round force in goal.
Late on, there was time for youth team keeper Joe McDonnell to feature and he was not fazed by the big night, producing a decent save from Kagisho Dikgacio.
With Wes Daly still to fit into the side, this was an impressive opener from the Dragons and with a little tweaking and time together there looks to be much promise ahead for the coming season at the Camrose.
Next up for Town is an Aldershot at the Camrose on Saturday.
