Stevenage Borough will be disappointed to have dominated a game so much but still emerged with only one point, although the fightback from two goals down will at least give Boro boss Wayne Turner a positive.
Turner included new signings Mark Westhead, Simon Travis and Neil Smith in the starting eleven, while Graeme Tomlinson came on as a late substitute.
Northwich Victoria had Andy Woodward, Neil Matthews and Greg Rioch making their full debuts, while David McNiven and Andy Taylor made their bows as second-half subs.
Northwich seemed to be heading for a victory as goals against the run of play from Steve Garvey and Richard Norris either side of the break gave Jimmy Quinn's side a two-goal advantage.
Just before the hour Jean Michel Sigere pulled a goal back for the home side as Vics began to feel the heat at Broadhall Way.
Eleven minutes later Kirk Jackson brought the home side level and in the latter stages it was Boro who spurned chance after chance to gain the win