WES Thomas opened his goalscoring account on debut but Oxford United were pegged back by Ched Evans’s powerful free-kick as Chesterfield earned a draw on the opening day of the season.

The home side were deservedly in front at the Kassam Stadium after a positive start to life in Sky Bet League One.

Thomas was on hand to poach a tap-in on the half-hour mark after Alex MacDonald’s shot was spilled by goalkeeper Ryan Fulton.

The striker hit the post with a golden chance to double the lead early in the second half, which proved Chesterfield’s cue to get back into the game.

Ched Evans, playing his first competitive match for more than four years, had one shot superbly saved by Simon Eastwood, but the goalkeeper could do nothing about his low set piece on 76 minutes.

United were not helped by a collection of injuries before and during the game which left them threadbare defensively, so considering the circumstances this was not a bad point.

Following a pre-season without any serious fitness worries, United’s preparations were hit in the final training session.

Christian Ribeiro fractured an ankle and will be ruled out for at least six weeks, while a foot injury ruled Aaron Martin out.

Sam Long made his first start of 2016 instead, while there were debuts for Simon Eastwood, Curtis Nelson and Thomas.

The teams were given a noisy reception in the August sunshine and the early stages were typically frenetic.

Thomas fired wide off-balance after a clever pass from Chris Maguire, while at the other end Jay O’Shea shot straight at Eastwood from 25 yards.

United’s front two combined well and Ryan Taylor’s chest pass almost sent Thomas clear in the eighth minute. With the striker poised to sprint through, Charlie Raglan brought him down and collected an early booking.

Taylor was a thorn in Chesterfield’s side, winning plenty of aerial challenges and hassling the visiting back four on the ball.

The tall striker had the game’s first clear chance, but after springing the offside trap his shot from ten yards lacked conviction and was easy for Ryan Fulton.

Oxford Mail:

  • Ryan Taylor has a shot saved by Chesterfield goalkeeper Ryan Fulton in the first half  Picture: David Fleming

United looked solid defensively and as the half wore on they steadily took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Maguire and Liam Sercombe combined twice in 60 seconds to prompt some panicked defending, before United gained lift-off on the half-hour mark.

Maguire dropped deep and with time to get his head up, launched a raking pass to pick out Alex MacDonald.

The winger was forced wide, but took on the shot anyway, which had enough power to squirm out of Fulton’s grasp and give Thomas the easiest of finishes from a couple of yards.

Everything was going to plan for United, until six minutes before the break.

Chey Dunkley was forced off with a hamstring injury and with Ribeiro and Martin unavailable it meant Joe Skarz switched to centre half and Josh Ruffels filled in at left back.

Given the changes, United were in need of the insurance provided by a second goal.

It should have arrived four minutes after the restart, when Sercombe’s good work saw Thomas streak clear.

The striker appeared to have done the hard work by holding off Ian Evatt, but with only Fulton to beat his shot from inside the box clipped the outside of the post.

Having escaped, Chesterfield carved out two excellent chances for Evans either side of the hour mark.

The first opportunity was the clearest, after a clever move bought the striker space in the box, but he was denied by a superb save by Eastwood.

Evans also fired wide left-footed after MacDonald was caught on the ball in the centre circle, allowing Chesterfield to break at pace.

United looked to Tyler Roberts for fresh legs and the debutant almost made an immediate impact.

The West Brom loanee had as shot blocked which fell for Sercombe to shoot across goal, where only a last-ditch clearance in the six-yard box denied Thomas another tap-in.

But as the game went on United seemed to run out of steam and an increasdingly confident Chesterfield drew level 14 minutes from time.

Not for the first time Gboly Ariyibi was too quick for Ruffels, who was booked for a foul.

The free-kick was at least 25 yards out, but Evans’s fierce strike skidded low into the far corner.

There was still plenty of time for either side to find a winner.

United threw on Kane Hemmings, but there was a lack of clear chances late on as the sides had to settle for a point apiece.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Eastwood, Long, Nelson, Dunkley (Ruffels 39), Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Maguire (T Roberts 64), Thomas (Hemmings 81), Taylor.

Unused subs: Buchel, Welch-Hayes, Crowley, Rothwell.

Chesterfield (4-4-1-1): Fulton, Donohue, Evatt, Raglan, McGinn, Gardner (Simons 66), Liddle, Ariyibi, Nolan, O’Shea, Evans (Dennis 88).

Unused subs: Allinson, Mitchell, Dimaio, Maguire, Daley.

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

Attendance: 8,679 (872 visitors).