The League One season got under way on Saturday with two contrasting opening-day stories: a remarkable comeback from Luton Town and a share of the spoils in the East Midlands derby between Notts County and Leicester City.

Luton's Kodua seals extraordinary turnaround

Luton Town produced one of the more dramatic results of the opening weekend anywhere in the EFL, recovering from 3-1 down at half-time to beat Reading 4-3. The winning goal arrived deep into stoppage time, when Gideon Kodua came in from the left and crashed a shot off the crossbar. The ball rebounded and, after a moment of fortune, Kodua had a second opportunity, slotting home from six yards to complete the comeback and send the travelling support into raptures.

It was the kind of opening-day result that can set a tone for a campaign. Coming back from a two-goal deficit in the second half, Luton demonstrated a resilience and belief that will encourage their supporters ahead of what promises to be a competitive third-tier season. The full details of their earlier goals were not immediately confirmed in the report, but the scoreline tells its own story: a side that refused to fold when the game appeared to have slipped away from them.

Notts County hold Leicester in opener

At Meadow Lane, Notts County and Leicester City shared a 1-1 draw in what was one of the most high-profile fixtures of the opening weekend. The result means Russell Martin's Leicester side, competing in League One this term, were denied a flying start to their third-tier campaign.

The draw is a point gained for County, who will view the result as a solid platform following their own preparations over the summer. For Leicester, the expectation given the resources at the club will be that they challenge at the very top of the division; a draw on the opening day, while not a disaster, suggests the third tier will not simply yield to the Foxes on reputation alone.

Martin, who took charge with the ambition of returning Leicester to the Championship at the earliest opportunity, will be keen to see his side find greater cutting edge in the weeks ahead. The fixture list will not grow any easier as the season develops, and rivals will be alert to the possibility of taking points off the division's most prominent club.

What the opening day tells us

Two results, two very different narratives. Luton's comeback at Reading underlines that they will be difficult to beat and possess the character to stay in matches when the odds appear stacked against them. Whether the performance levels will consistently match that determination remains to be seen, but supporters will take considerable heart from the manner of the victory.

For Leicester, the 1-1 at Notts County is a reminder that League One is a demanding division where no result is guaranteed. County, who continue to build as a club, will take confidence from restricting one of the favourites to a single point at Meadow Lane.

There are another 45 or so fixtures ahead for each club before the picture becomes clearer. The promotion race, the play-off positions and the battle to avoid the drop will all shift dramatically between now and May. But on the evidence of day one, Luton have announced themselves as potential front-runners, while Leicester have a point to prove after failing to take maximum points from their first outing.

Results elsewhere in the division will be reported as further information becomes available. The next round of fixtures will offer all three clubs the chance to build momentum, or to address the concerns that this opening weekend has raised.

Frequently asked

What was the score in Notts County vs Leicester City on the opening day?
Notts County and Leicester City drew 1-1 at Meadow Lane on the opening day of the League One season.
How did Luton Town win their first game of the season?
Luton came from 3-1 down at half-time to beat Reading 4-3, with Gideon Kodua scoring the winner in stoppage time.
Who is managing Leicester City in League One?
Russell Martin is the Leicester City manager as they compete in League One this season.