Cheltenham Town had to settle for stalemate in their opening game of the season for the second year running, making it six seasons since they last won on the first day.
That victory was back in 1996 against Sittingbourne and manager Steve Cotterill even turned up today in a blazer and tie - the clothes he wore last time he had an opening day success as a manager.
That was when he was manager of Sligo Rovers in Ireland and today's match against Leyton Orient was an altogether difference experience. The East Londoners were the beaten Division Three play-off finalists last season and they proved tough opponents for a Cheltenham side missing three players through suspension.
Cotterill opted to revert to 4-4-2 with Michael Duff returned to midfied and Richard Walker partnering Chris Banks in the centre of defence.
Martin Devaney played up front with Julian Alsop and both players were prominent in a bright opening by the Robins.
Steve Jones blazed over the bar and Devaney forced a good save from Ashley Bayes, while Hugh McAuley ended a fine solo run with a shot that went just wide.
Cheltenham were well on top in the opening 20 minutes but couldn't score, and Orient almost made them pay when debut-boy Carl Muggleton made a fine tip over the bar from Chris Tate and Jamie Victory was fortunate to escape when he appeared to handle the ball inside the box.
Orient began the second half strongly and went into the lead when the referee awarded a penalty for a push by Walker on Tate in the 53rd minute.
Matthew Lockwood had never missed a penalty in his professional career but this one was blocked by the legs of Muggleton. However, the rebound fell kindly for Lockwood to net the rebound.
Lively striker Jabo Ibhere almost made it 2-0 shortly afterwards but Muggleton made a fine save to deny him and Cheltenham took advantage.
Jason White had only been on the field for 30 seconds when a long throw from Duff found its way to him on the edge of the box and he scored with a deflected shot. It was his first Football League goal for the Robins since moving to Whaddon Road  from Rotherham United last May.
Cheltenham had to survive a late assault from Orient with Muggleton making a fine double save from Jeff Minton and Aaron McLean, but a draw was probably a fair result.
CHELTENHAM: Muggleton; Jones (White 63), Banks, Walker, Victory; M.Duff (Howarth 86), Yates, Milton, McAuley; Alsop, Devaney (Hopkins 86).
LEYTON ORIENT: Bayes; Harris, Smith, Downer, Lockwood; Minton (Houghton 90), McGhee, Joseph, Oakes (Castle 79); Tate (McLean 78), Ibhere.
REFEREE: A.R. Leake (Lancashire)
ATTENDANCE: 4,115