A delighted Richard Money praised match winner Matthew Barnes-Homer after the striker's terrific goal two minutes from time earned his side an opening day win over Altrincham.

With time running out it looked as though the Hatters' boss thought he'd have to settle for a point after the visitors had equalled Zdenek Kroca's first half header.

But Barnes-Homer repaid the faith shown in him by his manager by sending a scorching drive behind Stuart Coburn to seal a dramatic late Town victory.

"I don't think you could have asked for a more deserved goalscorer," Money said after the 2-1 win. "It was a perfect performance from a number 9 you will ever see.

"He held up the ball well, his movement was good, his combination play was excellent, he had numerous efforts on goal and he's come up with a wonderful strike.

"Matthew has had an excellent pre-season so that's why I gave him his chance to start this afternoon."

Money admitted his post-match comments wouldn't have been too dissimilar had the Hatters not found the winning goal.

"I thought we were fantastic and it's pleasing to open the season with a good start and three points," he said.

"Supporters will have been very expectant over the summer and to have 6,500 here is superb.

"They will have gone away having seen an outstanding performance and the result obviously makes it so much more enjoyable.

"Our play, our passing and movement meant we able to create numerous chances. We knew Altrincham would put up a real barrier and would be tight all over the pitch.

"Fortune favours the brave and we kept the ball moving and kept going even when it was 1-1. We still created plenty of chances after they equalised."

With the Hatters comfortably in command, even thought the score was 1-0, it came as a shock that Graham Heathcote's side levelled matters with 20 minutes left after their first effort on goal.

"It happens in football," Money said. "The longer the game went on the bigger the players they put on the pitch and with plenty of 6ft players on the side all it takes is one good delivery from one set piece.

"We said to the players in the dressing room at half-time that it was important that we scored the second goal.

"We were unfortunate not to find it with Andy Drury at the heart of it. He was another player who excelled today.

"I sometimes wonder 'where's he been all his life?' Throughout pre-season and again today he showed he is an outstanding footballer."

The gaffer also praised Barnes-Homer's fellow goalscorer Kroca. The giant Czech defender again impressed with another reassuring display in defence alongside captain George Pilkington.

"Zdenek brings a quality and calmness to the backline," Money said. "It looks like him and George have been playing together at the back all their lives.

"Pilks did great to keep the ball alive at the back post and Zdenek was alive to it."

With Danny Crow making an appearance as substitute, and four other players making their debuts, the Town boss explained his first team selection of what will be a long season.

"Over the course of pre-season the back eight have evolved," he said. Drury and Jake Howells have jumped into the wide positions while Adam Murray has a battle with Pavel Besta in central midfield.

"The top two was the conundrum and you could say I could have put the four names in a hat and pulled the first two out.

"But Matthew's been excellent, and I chose Kevin Gallen for his experience: it was the first game of the season and thought we needed that little bit of experience.

"I just felt it was right. The two that didn't start will be disappointed and we'll be champing at the bit.

"Danny's come on and looked bright as a button and to be honest if I was picking players on pre-season form then he would have started.

"I just thought Gallen's experience was vital and don't forget Tom Craddock. He's coming into the form now so it's a really nice position for me to be in.

"We don't want to get too carried away though, we've got two tough games coming up but if you need momentum you need to win the first game and we're delighted to have accomplished that."