A brilliant penalty save by keeper Ollie Culkin in the 88th minute secured the points for Trafford and ended Town’s fifteen game unbeaten run.
Just before kick-off, a minute’s applause was afforded to Graham Foxall, Trafford’s Director, Football Secretary and Groundsman, who tragically passed away earlier in the week.
And Mr Foxall would have been proud of the Trafford boys who showed tremendous resilience, skill and tenacity to stun their illustrious opponents.
The hosts created the first chances, giant centre back Ollie Harrison seeing his back post header tipped over by Culkin before heading straight at the Trafford keeper following a long throw in from the right.
At the other end, Rio Clegg was thwarted by a great last ditch tackle by Simeon Maye and Ben Woods cut in from the right before curling a 25 yard drive just wide of the far post.
Culkin pushed a free kick by Daniel Trickett-Smith over the crossbar before the game erupted in the 35th minute when Rio Clegg collected Culkin’s long punt downfield, bore down on the Town goal and was upended by Maye.
Referee Ellis had no option but to red card the Town defender and Clegg dusted himself down to crash the spot-kick past Tony Breeden and into the bottom corner.
Two minutes into the second half Trafford left back Jerome Wright produced a superb tackle to thwart substitute Jake Jervis and in the 63rd minute Culkin almost blotted his copybook when he mistimed a high cross but fortunately Kevin Spinelli cleared the danger.
Spaces were beginning to open up for Trafford as ten man Town committed players forward and Rio Clegg should have done better when he shot wide after excellent work by Jerome Wright.
In the 77th minute Town striker Nathan Blissett headed wide from just eight yards with the goal at his mercy and then Culkin held a low drive by Chris Hussey at the foot of his right hand post.
In the 82nd minute Trafford right back Sean Higgins made a reckless late challenge on Town’s Joe Doyle-Charles and was sent off and the visitors were almost made to pay immediately but Culkin saved the day with a magnificent save at point-blank range to deny Jake Morgan.
A thunderous drive by Rio Clegg was spectacularly pushed past the post by Breeden but in the 88th minute disaster struck for Karl Marginson’s side when substitute Josh Wood tripped Niall Watson inside the Trafford penalty area.
Ollie Culkin performed heroics once again to push Chris Hussey’s penalty past his left hand upright and retain Trafford’s slender lead.
The visitors’ game management in the dying minutes was exemplary as they coolly retained possession with some excellent composed football and the final whistle signalled yet another wonderful victory on the road for the boys from Shawe View.
However, it was to Graham Foxall that Marginson’s Men dedicated the win and they will be hoping for more of the same this coming Saturday when they entertain Kidsgrove Athletic in what is sure to be a poignant and moving occasion at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.