Match Report

Trafford slipped to their second defeat in the space of four days on Tuesday when they were defeated 2-1 by Clitheroe at Shawbridge.

A well-worked corner in the 4th minute ended with Ross Dent firing over as the hosts set the early pace and then centre back Bradley Ditch just failed to connect with an in-swinging free kick from the right.

In the 23rd minute Trafford took the lead slightly against the run of play when Matt Davies was fouled just outside the Clitheroe penalty area and Jerome Wright stepped forward to float a wonderful free kick past James McClenaghan and into the top corner.

Within a minute the hosts were level when a low cross from the right was steered home by Leon Creech with the Trafford defence asleep.

Visiting goalkeeper Ollie Culkin then produced two magnificent saves to thwart Parny Veron and Jordan Windass but was powerless to prevent Clitheroe from taking the lead in the 38th minute when substitute Danny Wilkins broke forward and chipped the ball neatly over the advancing keeper.

A thunderbolt from 25 yards by Windass was deflected wide and the first half came to a close with Danny Wilkins firing in a volley that Culkin saved at the foot of the post.

Leon Creech broke clear down the right and blasted over as the hosts sought a third goal but gradually Trafford began to dominate and skipper Harry Norris squandered a great chance in the 54th minute when he half-volleyed wide from ten yards.

Trafford manager Karl Marginson introduced substitutes Hilal Khan and Kingston Fligg to the fray and both performed admirably as the visitors pushed forward in search of the equaliser.

Kieron Molloy whistled an angled drive just wide of the far post but the best chance fell to Matt Davies when a fine move ended with the striker seeing his drive from close range blocked by McClenaghan.

Despite this defeat, Trafford can take heart from their spirited display in the final half hour when they played with a tempo, flair and aggression that had been missing in the first half, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they entertain Campion AFC in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup before hosting Stalybridge Celtic on Tuesday night.