TRAFFORD produced a battling performance to earn a point at second placed Alsager Town on Saturday.

The Staffordshire-based outfit had outfought the young Trafford team in a 1-0 victory at Shawe View a fortnight ago but on this occasion the local side proved to be far more resilient and with a little more luck could have taken all three points.

The opening stages were closely fought and dominated by the two defences, with little goalmouth action.

Chances were restricted to long-range efforts, the best falling to Graham Vaughan on the half hour when he was released by Phil Carratt and advanced to fire over from the edge of the penalty area.

At the other end Karl Espley and Glen Blackhurst had similar efforts that flew over the crossbar.

Phil Carratt always looked dangerous for the visitors and shortly before half time he cut in from the left and drove the ball across the face of the Alsager goal but unfortunately nobody was on hand to convert.

Haydn Eames then shot goalwards and Glyn Barker went agonisingly close to connecting from short range.

Two minutes into the second half Trafford stormed ahead when Graham Vaughan blasted the ball into the area and while Alsager vainly appealed for offside, Colin Bulwich netted from 10 yards.

Three minutes later Glyn Barker fired in a drive from 25 yards that flew just over the bar.

The big Alsager side were well-contained by the Trafford defence but always looked dangerous from set pieces and in the 77th minute they got back onto level terms when substitute Paul Macari, son of ex Manchester United star Lou, headed in unmarked following a left wing corner.

Alsager now had the bit between their teeth and pushed forward in search of the winning goal, giant centre half Wayne Brotherton moving into the centre forward position as his side resorted to route one football.

Brotherton's back post header was cleared off the line by Simon Woodford and then the home skipper headed over as the pressure mounted.

In the 94th minute Alsager thought they had won the game when Blackhurst met another corner with a powerful header but Trafford keeper Damien Rooney produced a brilliant save to earn his side a share of the spoils.

Over the course of the game, a 1-1 draw was a fair result and on Saturday Trafford are on their travels once more when they journey to Glossop for a League Cup tie that kicks off at 3pm.

Trafford are holding a sportsman's dinner on Friday November 25 at the Chef Peking restaurant in Urmston.

Guest Speaker is ex-World Welterweight Boxing Champion John H Stracey and comedienne is Dolly Dee.

Further details and tickets are available from David Law on 0161 748 5376.