TONY Sullivan blinked repeatedly to hold back the tears and drew a long, deep breath.

Minutes earlier, the final whistle had signalled the end of an FA Trophy tie that brought with it his first victory as Witton Albion manager.

It was his fifth Saturday in charge, the previous four having ended with the disappointment of a defeat.

“I don’t know what to say,” he sighed.

“I’m feeling so many different things at the same time.”

If the match was forgettable, the moment will not be.

Discounting a Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup tie he watched from the terrace behind a goal, Witton have lost seven successive matches since Sullivan left Cammell Laird to replace Anthony Sheehan in the dugout.

On an afternoon of firsts, Albion’s remodelled defence – marshalled impressively by John Shaw in front of a goalkeeper, Jamie Speare, ending a near four-year break since his last competitive appearance – shut out admittedly limited opponents.

More importantly, front man Alex Titchiner turned match-winner again.

The 23-year-old hasn’t scored a decisive goal for Witton since April.

It is too early to measure the significance of his moment of opportunism against Sheffield, but at the very least it will boost punctured confidence.

When Richard Stirrup carelessly nudged a back-pass towards goalkeeper Joe Green after half an hour, Titchiner swooped to intercept before swerving around the exposed custodian and sliding the ball into an empty goal.

It is a while since Albion punished an opponent’s mistake so mercilessly.

For once, fortune favoured them too.

Sheffield’s best, and pretty much only, opportunity in the second half ended with Joel Purkiss’ low drive hitting an upright.

From such episodes can campaigns change, or so Sullivan hopes.

His side had been tentative before Titchiner’s goal, but nor were they troubled by a side bruised by back-to-back defeats in which they had conceded eight goals.

With something to hang on to, they passed the ball more assuredly.

A second goal might have followed had James Hadfield not hauled back Jamie Rainford when he ran onto Speare’s kick forward, the Sheffield defender escaping with a caution.

Tichiner was inches away from converting Michael Powell’s cross after the midfielder had picked Stirrup’s pocket, while Green was swift from his line to smother Rainford’s attempted finish after Danny O’Brien’s clipped pass had sent him clear.

Purkiss’ attempt hit a post to remind Albion how flimsy their advantage was, while Cliff Moyo’s sliding block to thwart James Gregory was timed perfectly.

Andrews skewed wide from a promising position at the other end from Powell’s pass, but his side did not in the end need the comfort of a second goal to reach the next round.

“We’ll enjoy this moment because we’ve worked so hard for it,” added Sullivan at full time.

“We know we still need to improve.”

He’s right, of course, but it’s a start.

Sheffield (4-4-2) Green (GK), White, Hadfield, Whittaker, Algar, Roney (Key 63, Pemberton 85), Knowles (Woolley 79), Stirrup, Gregory, Purkiss, Longstaff Sub not used Ludlam Booked Whittaker (foul)

Witton (4-4-2) Speare (GK), Gardner, Harrison, Shaw, Moyo, Koral (Henders 77), O’Brien, Powell, Andrews, Titchiner (Barnes 82), Rainford (Corbett 90) Subs not used Swift (GK), Karanlang Goal Titchiner 30 Booked Andrews (foul)

Referee Aaron Bannister (Featherstone)

Attendance 154