LUTON'S attempt to claw back a massive 30-point deduction got off to a dreadful start as they were beaten 3-1 by Port Vale on the opening day of the Coca-Cola Championship season.
The crisis-torn Hatters were docked the points for breaching regulations on payments to agents and going into administration.
Louis Dodds (25) put Vale ahead against the run of play at Kenilworth Road before Sam Parkin equalised with a header (35).
But Robert Taylor (45) and Mark Richards (58) made it a miserable day for the home side.
Rotherham, starting the season on minus 17 due to their own financial problems, fared better as they beat Lincoln 1-0 thanks to Reuben Reid's strike (44).
Bournemouth began with same penalty as Rotherham but are now just 16 points in the red after a 1-1 draw with Gillingham - Darren Anderton (42) putting the Cherries ahead before Gary Mulligan's last-minute equaliser.
Pre-season title favourites Shrewsbury hammered Macclesfield 4-0 at New Meadow.
Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (31) put the Shrews ahead, record signing Grant Holt made it two from the spot (51) and Graham Coughlan (79) and Dave Hibbert (85) added late clinchers.
Dagenham enjoyed the League's biggest win of the opening day as they thumped Chester 6-0.
Dominic Green (16), Ben Strevens (42 penalty), Sam Saunders (55 and 60), Paul Benson (79) and Mark Nwokeji (88) all got in on the act.
Scott Donnelly's clipped 43rd-minute free-kick gave league new boys Aldershot a 1-0 win at Accrington.
Exeter, also promoted from the Blue Square Premier, were thankful for Daniel Seaborne's 60th-minute equaliser after Robert Purdie's penalty (40) had put Darlington ahead in their 1-1 draw.
Veteran striker Peter Thorne (21 and 61) gave promotion hopefuls Bradford a 2-1 win over Notts County at Valley Parade despite Richard Butcher's consolation (73).
Wycombe and Morecambe drew 1-1 at Adams Park as David Artell (66) cancelled out Lewwis Spence's opener (34) for the Chairboys.
Jack Lester's brace (57 and 62) helped Chesterfield to a 3-1 victory over Barnet at Underhill after Ashley Carew (19) had put the Bees in front. Jamie Ward (80) added a third.
Andy Bishop (43) gave Bury a 1-0 home victory over Brentford while Grimsby and Rochdale played out a goalless draw.
Louis Dodds (25) put Vale ahead against the run of play at Kenilworth Road before Sam Parkin equalised with a header (35).
But Robert Taylor (45) and Mark Richards (58) made it a miserable day for the home side.
Rotherham, starting the season on minus 17 due to their own financial problems, fared better as they beat Lincoln 1-0 thanks to Reuben Reid's strike (44).
Bournemouth began with same penalty as Rotherham but are now just 16 points in the red after a 1-1 draw with Gillingham - Darren Anderton (42) putting the Cherries ahead before Gary Mulligan's last-minute equaliser.
Pre-season title favourites Shrewsbury hammered Macclesfield 4-0 at New Meadow.
Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (31) put the Shrews ahead, record signing Grant Holt made it two from the spot (51) and Graham Coughlan (79) and Dave Hibbert (85) added late clinchers.
Dagenham enjoyed the League's biggest win of the opening day as they thumped Chester 6-0.
Dominic Green (16), Ben Strevens (42 penalty), Sam Saunders (55 and 60), Paul Benson (79) and Mark Nwokeji (88) all got in on the act.
Scott Donnelly's clipped 43rd-minute free-kick gave league new boys Aldershot a 1-0 win at Accrington.
Exeter, also promoted from the Blue Square Premier, were thankful for Daniel Seaborne's 60th-minute equaliser after Robert Purdie's penalty (40) had put Darlington ahead in their 1-1 draw.
Veteran striker Peter Thorne (21 and 61) gave promotion hopefuls Bradford a 2-1 win over Notts County at Valley Parade despite Richard Butcher's consolation (73).
Wycombe and Morecambe drew 1-1 at Adams Park as David Artell (66) cancelled out Lewwis Spence's opener (34) for the Chairboys.
Jack Lester's brace (57 and 62) helped Chesterfield to a 3-1 victory over Barnet at Underhill after Ashley Carew (19) had put the Bees in front. Jamie Ward (80) added a third.
Andy Bishop (43) gave Bury a 1-0 home victory over Brentford while Grimsby and Rochdale played out a goalless draw.
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