Worthing’s National League bow ended in a superb 3-2 away win over one of the division’s powerhouses, Carlisle United.

The fixture schedulers did not give Adam Hinshelwood’s men the easiest start to their debut campaign in the top tier of non-league football – but an opening-day trip to Brunton Park didn’t faze them and nor did going behind.

Worthing fell behind on 42 minutes when Georgie Kelly headed home Harvey Bunker's cross from the right.

But the Rebels – backed by a vocal band of travelling fans who were making the most of the season’s longest trip – kept battling and on 67 minutes, Dom Hutchinson danced into the area and fired an unstoppable effort from a tight angle into the roof of the net.

Fifteen minutes later Worthing and those fans were in dreamland as a Jack Wadham free-kick dropped to Razz Coleman De-Graft, who turned and curled a wonderful shot into the far corner.

Could it get any better? Yes, as Worthing added a third on 86 minutes when Ricky Aguiar danced through and converted.

Kelly made Worthing sweat by pulling one back almost immediately but Hinshelwood’ side held out for a win which will give them a huge lift at the start of what will be a long and hard season.

More to follow...