Shrewsbury Town returned to the Football League following a 12-month absence, but visiting Lincoln City spoilt the party, by registering a hard-fought 1-0 win.
In sweltering Gay Meadow heat, this highly-entertaining contest was decided six minutes into the second half when Gary Taylor-Fletcher pounced on some hesitant Shrewsbury defending to ultimately secure the points for Keith Alexander's men.
Back from the Conference when they spent just one season, the home side found Lincoln a tough nut to crack, but went close before the break with near misses from young midfielder David Edwards and returning hero Dave Walton.
He was a member of Shrewsbury's 93-94 third division championship-winning side, the 31-year-old centre-back was snapped up by Shrews boss Jimmy Quinn on a free transfer from Derby County this week.
There was nothing Walton could do when Taylor-Fletcher stabbed the Imps ahead from close range on 52 minutes, but the last quarter of an hour brought an all-assault assault on the visitors goal as Shrewsbury battled in vain for a share of the spoils.
City keeper made a superb save to thwart a Duane Darby header and twice substitute John Grant almost restored level terms. But Lincoln, who have made the play-offs in each of the past two seasons, held firm to clinch victory.