ALTRINCHAM manager Graham Heathcote saluted Colin Little after the veteran hitman's stunning strike got the Robins off to a winning start in the Blue Square Premier.

Little, whose remarkable 21-goal return last term has just earned him the MEN Sport-Channel M Unsung Hero award for 2008, fired home from long-range in stoppage time to give Alty a 2-1 victory at Woking.

Ex-Stalybridge wide-man Alex Meechan - one of six debutants in Heathcote's starting line-up - had earlier put Alty in front on the stroke of half-time, tapping in after fellow new boy Dale Johnson's shot had been blocked.

But Joel Ledgister's 67th-minute equaliser looked to have denied the Robins an opening-day triumph until Little dramatically intervened to send the visiting fans home happy. Heathcote said: "We knew we could win it even after their goal, especially when you have someone like Colin. He never ceases to amaze.

"We conceded a poor goal, but three points away from home is a great start and we can make it even batter if we win against Barrow at Moss Lane tomorrow night."

No such delight for Northwich, who crashed 1-0 to visiting Cambridge.

And local Blue Square North trio Droylsden, Stalybridge and Hyde couldn't muster a win between them, either, although only the Tigers were beaten, 3-2 at Alfreton.

Steve Waywell's men were sunk by a last-gasp goal after Wayne Maden's headed equaliser three minutes from time appeared to have salvaged them a point. Chris Simm had slotted Hyde in front just after the half-hour, but they were unable to hold on to their lead.

New-look Droylsden had faithful servant Steve Halford to thank for saving them from an opening day home defeat by Tamworth, who led through Liam Brownhill's own goal at the break. Halford, the only member of the newly-relegated Bloods' 2006/7 Conference North championship-winning squad still at the Butcher's Arms, struck on the hour to earn Dave Pace's men a 1-1 draw.

Stalybridge, too, had to settle for a point from their Bower Fold curtain-raiser against AFC Telford. The visitors fought back to lead 2-1 after Steve Torpey's deflected seventh minute opener had given Bridge the perfect start. But Chris Williams capped a useful debut by making it 2-2 from Ashley Woolliscroft's cross.

A Darren Green goal gave Vodkat League newcomers Irlam a winning start as they pipped AFC Blackpool 1-0.