TOM Hacking rose highest to ensure new Hexham manager Jamie Williams got off to a winning start.

Leaping to connect to a corner in a congested box, Hacking’s header was the only goal as Hexham downed newly promoted Alnmouth United by the narrowest of margins.

The goal came after a period of dominance for the home side, with Lewis Loughhead going close to doubling the advantage on two occasions soon after but seeing a low shot clip the foot of the post and being denied by the United keeper.

Hexham goalie Oli Iley looked assured between the sticks and made some fine saves when called upon, with man of the match defender Scott Robson on hand to make a committed, last ditch block on the line the one time Iley was beaten.

The tackle epitomised Robson’s attitude as he carried out after an early head injury left his face bloodied and nose bruised, combining his typical competitive spirit with composure to play out from the back.

Will Forsyth look destined to make it 2-0 before the break when he cleverly rounded the Alnmouth goalkeeper, but he was left appealing for a penalty when the recovering defender was said to have used his hand.

The hosts were denied a penalty shout themselves after the break when a strong tackle from Gavin Hunter inside the box had United players pleading with the referee, who deemed the defender had got enough of the ball to warrant it a fair tackle.

Hunter and Robson formed a sound defensive partnership as Alnmouth looked to get back into the game, with Michael Robson and the impressive Calum Thomas allowing the team to dominate through the middle of the park.

Hexham had late chances through hard working substitutes Robbie Pattison and Ben Rodgers, but were unable to add to the scoreline with efforts from distance.

Hacking was again on target as Hexham made it two wins from two, returning from newly promoted Gateshead Redheugh 1957 with a 5-1 win in midweek.

Also on target was Pattison, Tony Lancaster and Callum Duncan, with a Redheugh player putting past his own goalkeeper.