Stenhousemuir’s second-tier campaign got off to a successful start after Marvin Bartley’s side came back from a goal down to secure a point at Stark’s Park last Saturday.

The newly-promoted Warriors, who earned a shot at Scottish Championship football after progressing through the play-offs, followed up their impressed Premier Sports Cup group-stage showings with another good result in their league opener, drawing 1-1 away to Raith Rovers.

Paul McMullan curled home a cracking opener for Dougie Imrie’s outfit after 19 minutes played but the Warriors battled back to level things up on the half hour mark through loan star Lewis Hodgkiss.

The St Mirren loanee netted his second goal for the club, atoning for slack marking of McMullan for the opener. His header came with a real slice of luck but he was in the right position at the near post.

Lewis Hodgkiss is mobbed by his Stenhousemuir team-mates after scoring the Warriors’ equaliser against Raith Rovers last Saturday at Stark’s Park (Pictures by Roddy Scott/SNS Group)

placeholder image — Lewis Hodgkiss is mobbed by his Stenhousemuir team-mates after scoring the Warriors’ equaliser against Raith Rovers last Saturday at Stark’s Park (Pictures by Roddy Scott/SNS Group)

Stenny were made to sweat late on when substitute Kai Montagu headed home from close range in stoppage time but the goal was chopped off for an offside.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw, boss Bartley hailed his players’ mentality to get through a tough opener.

“I’m really proud of the lads,” he said. “I thought we had really, really good spells during the game.

"It is always difficult when you come up to a new division, and although we have already played Partick Thistle and Livingston in the league cup, starting the league campaign is a big day and we did look a little bit spooked at times. But out belief grew as the game went on.

"Raith opened the scoring with a really good goal. But the reaction from that goal was fantastic and Hodgey (Lewis Hodgkiss) has managed to put the ball in the net somehow. I don’t know if it hit a head then his face, but they all count.”

Bartley also praised the performance of 19-year-old Hodgkiss, who has been a star performer since joining on loan.

The midfielder was last out on loan at Bo’ness United in the fifth tier but he has swiftly adapted to life in the Championship.

“Me being me, the first thing I spoke to him about was his pressing rather than the goal,” Bartley joked. “Lewis gives us so much energy. He is so enthusiastic.

"We knew what he would bring to the club when we brought here. It’s great for him to get the goal but his all-round play was strong.”

Meanwhile, the Warriors confirmed before Saturday’s match that former Hibs ace Oscar MacIntyre had joined the club on a one-year contract.

The 21-year-old was last with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he made 37 appearances last term.

Manager Bartley said: “He played a pivotal part in Inverness winning League One last season and has now played a lot of games and accumulated an awful lot of minutes in men’s football.

“He is exactly the type of player and profile we are trying to bring to the football club. He still has ambition within the game but also has plenty of senior football under his belt.

“We are really looking forward to Oscar adding competition at left wing-back. He can also play at left-back and, if required, on the left side of central defence.”