STEVE Seddon scored on debut as Oxford United were held by Cambridge United in their first game of the Sky Bet League One season.

The left back fired home just before the break to give the U’s fans something to cheer on the day they returned to away matches for the first time since March 2020.

United appeared to have taken the sting out of the game, but Mark Sykes’s foul on Paul Digby gave the newly-promoted hosts the chance to equalise.

And striker Joe Ironside converted calmly from the spot to ensure the U’s wait for a first opening-day win since 2017 continues.

United head coach Karl Robinson was watching his 600th game in management from the stands and had to make one big decision before kick-off.

Nathan Holland was unavailable  after being told to self-isolate by NHS track and trace.

He will have to wait for the first game of his second spell, but Gavin Whyte and Ryan Williams were given their first competitive outings since returning on the flanks.

Jordan Thorniley and Seddon made their competitive debuts, while Anthony Forde was at right back with Sam Long not ready to start.

Both sets of fans made plenty of noise before kick-off and the roar that greeted the teams told us one thing: football is back.

In all the excitement it was no surprise the game took a bit of time to settle down, although United enjoyed most of the early possession.

The visitors had the first sight of goal after 15 minutes, when Whyte beat right back George Williams on his outside to cut back for Ryan Williams, who saw his shot blocked in the six-yard box.

The chances were starting to come and Cambridge captain Greg Taylor nodded wide from a corner, before James Henry’s flicked header was pushed away by Dimitar Mitov after good work from Seddon and Whyte.

United had most of the first-half possession but the hosts looked dangerous on the break, with wingers Shilow Tracey and James Brophy giving Seddon and Forde plenty to think about.

Ryan Williams was booked for a professional foul on Tracey with the forward in full flow and was booked, while Cambridge’s Liam O’Neil was also yellow-carded for some handbags in the aftermath.

The home side’s best chance of the half came when Ironside turned Elliott Moore, but Thorniley got back to deny the striker with a great sliding block.

Wes Hoolahan – at the age of 39 - was becoming increasingly influential, so Seddon’s goal came at the perfect time.

United’s No 42 arrived at the back post to meet Ryan Williams’s cross and lashed an effort beyond Mitov, giving the travelling fans a moment they had waited 17 months for.

Taylor headed Forde’s cross wide moments later, but the U’s were having plenty of joy down the right and led at the break.

It remained a productive area of the pitch after half-time, with Forde, Henry and Ryan Williams interchanging well.

The latter was replaced by Billy Bodin in the 57th minute, as the former Preston North End man became United’s third debutant of the day.

The U’s remained broadly on top and the home fans grew agitated when Mark Sykes and Seddon took their time to get back up after fouls.

Sam Winnall replaced Matty Taylor midway through the half and immediately created the best chance since the break.

The U’s striker’s touch released Whyte and the winger motored into the box, but was left in two minds and his cross-shot rolled past the far post.

Bodin poked over from close range three minutes later from Seddon’s delicious cross, while former United forward Sam Smith replaced Tracey for his Cambridge debut.

But it was another home striker who equalised 12 minutes from time.

Sykes brought Paul Digby down inside the box and Ironside stepped up to beat Stevens low to the goalkeeper’s left.

The home fans sensed a winner and Brophy flashed the ball across goal soon after, while Marcus McGuane replaced Sykes in United’s final change.

Cambridge piled on the pressure late on and Bodin had a penalty shout turned down at the other end, but neither side could find a winner.

Cambridge United (4-2-3-1): Mitov, Williams, Jones, Taylor, Iredale, Digby, O’Neil (May 71), Tracey (Smith 76), Hoolahan, Brophy, Ironside.

Unused subs: Mannion, Dunk, Okedina, Knibbs, Worman.

Booked: O’Neil.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Forde, Moore, Thorniley, Seddon, Henry, Brannagan, Sykes (McGuane 85), Williams (Bodin 57), Taylor (Winnall 66), Whyte.

Unused subs: Eastwood, Long, Gorrin, Agyei.

Booked: Williams, Seddon.

Referee: David Rock (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 6,444 (1,428 visitors).