Ashford United left the Mayplace Ground with all three points in a tight season opener that probably deserved to end level.
The hosts started brightly and shaded the first half going close through Kenny Aileru more than once.
Jeff Duah-Kessie missed a great chance to open the scoring just after the break before a ten minute spell where all three goals in this game were scored. David Smith got the first with a smart finish before Lauris Chin opened his Phoenix account when reacting quickest in the box following good work from Aileru. Just a few minutes later Ashford had the lead again when Jay May headed home an inswinging corner and only the bar denied the visitors soon after from similar circumstances.
The visitors smartly saw the game out to get them off to a great start while Phoenix should take encouragement from a decent performance against one of the title favourites.