TRAFFORD Football Club are gradually inching away from the danger zone at the bottom of the Unibond League Division One, earning another vital point from their 1-1 draw with second placed Burscough at Shawe View on Saturday.

The game started in lively fashion with Trafford just about edging the early stages and they deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute when Tony Briffa fed Chris Patterson who turned neatly and struck a sweet drive into the bottom corner.

Burscough battled back with Howard and Lowe looking dangerous in attack but once again the home defence were tight and well organised and keeper Jim O'Donnell was rarely troubled.

On the half hour Trafford produced a brilliant five man move that ended with Steve Burns driving the ball across the face of the Burscough goal and Mike Garside failing to apply the finishing touch by inches.

The visitors were becoming frustrated with their inability to create any openings and seconds before half time full back Bowen was cautioned for a crude challenge on Burns.

Two minutes into the second period Trafford almost made it two when skipper Garry Vaughan received the ball 25 yards from the Burscough goal, flicked it up and powered in a magnificent volley that Blasbery spectacularly tipped over the crossbar.

On the hour Burscough created their first goalscoring opportunity of any note when Birch flashed a header just wide following a right wing corner but the turning point of the entire game came three minutes later when Trafford centre back Lee Southwood was forced to leave the field with a back injury.

Within a minute Burscough were back on level terms when Lowe gained possession on the left, Trafford vainly claiming that he had used his arm to bring down the ball, and crossed for the quicksilver Howard to turn and drive past Jim O'Donnell and into the far corner.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy and in the 75th minute Saint saw his shot deflected for a corner.

Burscough substitute Lee McEvilly then had two good chances, blasting over the crossbar in the 75th minute and then being denied by a brave save by O'Donnell two minutes later.

At the other end Jamie Shepley had a half chance for Trafford but delayed his shot and the Burscough defence cleared the danger, and then in the last minute home right back Neil Rigby made a match saving tackle to rob Talbot when the opponent was in the clear.

On Saturday, Trafford travel to play Congleton Town in a Unibond League Division clash kicking off at 3pm and then Radcliffe Borough visit Shawe View next Tuesday for a 7.30pm KO.

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