Trafford moved up to sixth place in the Northern Premier League West Division with a magnificent 1-0 victory at second placed Vauxhall Motors despite playing the last 31 minutes, and 13 minutes of time-added-on, with just ten men.
Will Dunne shot just wide from 20 yards as Motors dominated the opening minutes although Trafford should have taken the lead in the 9th minute when Matty Lusakueno fed Cian Donohue who fired over from just 15 yards.
Karl Marginson’s men were given a helping hand by referee Sims in the 14th minute when ex-Trafford centre back Adam Rooney was harshly adjudged to have fouled Lusakueno with Rio Clegg stepping up to coolly place the resulting penalty past Alex Swindell.
Josh Quarless just failed to convert a cross to the back post as Motors sought the equaliser whilst at the other end a slick move down the right ended with a goalmouth scramble and Jerome Wright shooting from close range into Swindell’s arms.
As half-time approached, Sam Booth produced a brilliant finger-tip save to thwart Motors winger Nathan Corness and then held a low drive by Will Dunne from the edge of the penalty area.
Then, in the dying seconds of the first half, Rio Clegg almost doubled the visitors lead when he squirmed past two Motors defenders but saw Swindell save at the near post.
Two minutes into the second half Brad Byrne should have made it two but volleyed wide after good work by Cian Donohue and shortly afterwards danger-man Dunne blasted a shot over from the edge of the penalty area.
The game erupted in the 59th minute with referee Sims once again the centre of attention when he penalised Donohue for a trip on Connor Rankin and brandished a second yellow card, and subsequent red, for the unfortunate Trafford youngster who had been cautioned in the first half for a late challenge.
Trafford’s ten men were tremendous in the face of adversity with goalkeeper Sam Booth in majestic form and the back four of Sean Higgins, Harry Norris, Jordan Fagbola and Jerome Wright all absolutely superb.
Booth pushed a Paddy Kay effort past his right hand upright and then held a snapshot from close range by Motors veteran striker Kevin Ellison.
In the 86th minute Rio Clegg broke in the inside right position and appeared to be pulled down by a Motors defender but the referee turned down Trafford’s vehement appeals for a penalty and allowed play to continue.
Sam Booth dealt brilliantly with the numerous crosses that were flighted into his penalty area but with the referee signalling eleven minutes of injury time, Motors sensed that they could salvage a point.
However, it was Trafford who came closest to scoring in the remaining minutes when substitutes Jack Donohue and Toba Obitayo linked superbly with the latter crashing a great shot from 25 yards that was spectacularly pushed past the post by Swindell.
Marginson’s team was reduced to nine men when Obitayo had to leave the field following a head injury, but on his return, and despite the referee adding an additional thirteen minutes, Trafford held out quite comfortably to record a memorable victory.
This win leaves Trafford just four points outside the play-off positions and they will go into Saturday’s clash at Newcastle Town brimming with confidence.