AN equaliser by striker Stuart Diggle in the 65th minute earned Kendal Town a 1-1 draw in the opening match of their UniBond League Division One campaign.

Stocksbridge Park Steels, who finished fourth in last year's table, are one of the teams tipped for promotion this year, but they were well contained by the new-look Kendal squad until a goal by Ronan gave them the lead in the 55th minute.

Spirited Kendal gave the best possible reply by staying on attack and opening the way for Diggle's equaliser just eight minutes later.