ALEX Titchiner ended a spell without scoring, which stretches back to March, to help Witton Albion make a winning start.

His was the decisive contribution of an untidy encounter, swooping onto a sloppy-back pass midway through the second half before skipping around goalkeeper Brett Souter.

Afterwards Scott Dundas, in the dugout at Wincham Park for the first time as manager, admitted he sighed with relief at hearing the full-time whistle.

“I’m glad it’s out of the way,” he said.

“We dug out a result. I told the chairman I’m not a manager who is happy winning 1-0 every week, but I definitely am this time.”

Titchiner had gone closest to scoring during the early exchanges, lifting a lob narrowly over after timing his run perfectly to meet Lee Cropper’s superb pass.

When he scuffed an attempt off-target from Jon Dawson’s cross in the second period, he could be forgiven for thinking a barren run would continue.

However the 24-year-old, who scored 26 times in Division One North when Witton last played at this level four years ago, was sharp enough to react when an Ossett back-marker erred badly later on.

Dundas added: “If Titch had scored from that first chance, it would have opened up the game for us. That’s what we were aiming for.

“He popped up later though with an opportunist goal.

“He didn’t score in a friendly, but he has when it matters. That’s why we were so happy when he signed.”

With Ossett intent on defence, leaving Rob Bordman in attack on his own, Witton toiled to create chances.

After Titchiner’s initial glimpse of goal, they did not trouble Souter again until Kyle Diskin’s drive was smothered on 35 minutes.

The Unicorns’ number one also tipped over Gary Roberts’ free kick.

Ossett, relatively untroubled, were more adventurous after the interval.

Bordman’ shot blasted over from distance, while Nick Matthews was more accurate with a low effort that flashed wide.

In between, Titchiner could not make clean contact with Dawson’s drilled centre.

The hosts were grateful for a helping hand when Ossett gifted an opportunity to Titchiner on 70 minutes, one he gleefully accepted after side-stepping Souter to roll the ball into an empty net.

Roberts, impressive throughout with his ability to switch play, almost added a second only for his goal-bound shot struck full-back Kieran Thompson.

Diskin did not trouble Souter from his next attempt, while at the other end Eddy Birch’s half-volley flashed just over.

Witton can be encouraged by keeping a clean sheet, more so that goalkeeper Danny Roberts did not have a save to make all game.

Titchiner was on target too when Ossett last visited Northwich on opening day in 2011.

Witton went on to be promoted.

Dundas concluded: “We must improve, particularly when in possession.

“But winning the first game is important; when I look at the table and see three points on the board it will be a good feeling.”

Witton | 4-4-2 | Danny Roberts (GK), Gardner, Lycett, Chadwick, Dawson, Diskin, Beaumont, Gary Roberts (Valentine 90), Baker, Cropper (Main 74), Titchiner (Warburton 80) Subs not used Bainbridge, Smith Goal Titchiner70 Booked Gary Roberts, Main (both fouls)

Ossett |4-5-1 | Souter (GK), Thompson, Hardaker, Wright, Riordan, South, Matthews (Brunt 75), Jones (Muller 65), Bordman, Birch, Bojang (Milnes 81) Subs not used Paylor, Hoyle Booked Wright, Riordan (both fouls)

Referee Adam Clayton

Attendance 367