Trafford fell to yet another single goal defeat on Saturday, a Jayden Sergeant goal after just four minutes giving the Merseysiders their victory.

Manager Tom Baker made four changes to the team that had been narrowly defeated by Vauxhall Motors the previous week but his side made a nightmare start when Sergeant received a pass from out on the right and, in acres of space, fired past Sam Booth and into the roof of the net.

Seven minutes later Matt Davies volleyed wastefully over from 15 yards in the visitors’ first meaningful attack but it was Bootle who were the dominant force with Sam Booth twice saving to thwart Matt Fenton and Jack McGowan.

A rather scrappy first half came to a close with dangerman McGowan curling a shot just wide from the right.

Substitute Kieron Molloy was brought on for the second half in place of Henry Brown and Trafford immediately upped their game, Charlie Frost blasting a shot from 18 yards that was parried by Bootle keeper Tony Thompson and Molloy lifting a volley onto the roof of the net.

At the other end, a glancing header by McGowan was comfortably held by Sam Booth before Thompson held a 25 yard drive by Trafford midfielder Taylor Dyson.

Bootle were now still slightly on top and a brilliant last ditch tackle by Trafford skipper Harry Norris in the 74th minute denied Stephen Edmondson as the Bootle substitute was about to pounce.

Sam Booth produced a magnificent save at point blank range as McGowan broke clear and then Will Russ looked certain to make it two for Bootle but fired wide of the near post.

Trafford battled gamely to the end but were unable to make inroads in to a home defence that was superbly marshalled by centre backs Matthew Fenton and Tom Hannigan.

This loss means that Trafford have lost ten of their thirteen defeats by a single goal but are yet to record a defensive clean sheet.

Baker’s Boys now have two crucial home games on consecutive Saturday’s as they attempt to climb off the bottom of the NPL West Division table, entertaining Congleton Town and Witton Albion, both games kicking off at 3 p.m.