Certainly the 3000-plus who turned out at Jack Edwards Reserve on a balmy Friday night would have anticipated more.

The Cannons, with John Anastasiadis at the coaching helm for the second year and some impressive pre-season form behind them, would have expected more while the Greens, perhaps nervous at what awaited them in the top league, would have wanted more after finding they were more than a match for the Cannons in what should have been a tough fixture.

The highlight of the night was the small grass fire near the railway reserve, probably started by flares let off at the start of the second half.

The final 1-1 result was fair; the Cannons had the best of the first half and started the second brightly before the visitors came back hard and could have taken all the points.

When recruit Cameron Watson opened the scoring for the new season in the 28th minute, most Cannons faithful would have anticipated more to follow.

Watson's goal was well taken. A series of shots had the Bentleigh defence in disarray and Watson's final shot crashed through.

But the celebrations only lasted 10 minutes. Bentleigh, stung into action, caught the Cannons' defence flat-footed and a low cross from the left found Johnny Sapazovski on his own to side foot in.

The second half promised more of the same but neither team could establish itself.

After the match Anastasiadis was non-committal. "I thought a draw was probably a fair result. It was a warm night and both teams fought hard.

"We played well in the first half, but lost our direction at the end of the second half, perhaps because of tiredness or lack of concentration."

This Friday Oakleigh is at home again, taking on another promotion hopeful, Northcote City, at 8.30pm.