by Dave Law TRAFFORD were cruelly robbed of a point by an injury time Adam Jones header in a drab encounter at Shawe View.

A defence dominated game meant that there was little goalmouth action with just three first half incidents of note.

In the 15th minute a cleverly worked corner by Trafford ended with Shelton Payne firing wide of the far post. Five minutes later Town’s Mark Jones slipped a pass into Ben Deegan who shot weakly at Kieran O’Hara and then seconds before half time a free kick by the visitors dangerman Max Harrop was deflected inches wide.

The second half followed a similar pattern with very little creative spark from both teams and chances at a premium.

Trafford striker Michael Oates headed straight at Jack Cudworth in the 55th minute, Town’s Steve Foster blazed over following a poor throw by O’Hara and then a wicked inswinging cross by Harrop just evaded the lunge of visiting substitute Arron Burns.

The introduction of Trafford substitutes Brett Mbalanda and Ali Nsango with ten minutes remaining injected greater pace and urgency into the home attack with the latter seeing a low drive blocked by the well drilled Town defence.

In the 88th minute a superb sweeping move by Trafford ended with Andy Smart firing a low cross to the back post where Nsangou blasted wide, albeit from a marginal offside position.

In the dying seconds of normal time, disaster struck for Trafford when Town were awarded a right wing corner, the ball was swung to the back post and Adam Jones rose to head inside the upright through the packed goalmouth.

Andy Smart then fired a free kick from 20 yards into the defensive wall before Trafford’s misery was compounded by the sending off of right back Steve Mason after a trip on the goalbound Max Harrop. From the resulting free kick, Kieran O’Hara produced a breathtaking save to push the ball around the post.

A disappointing game came to a close with Trafford reflecting on just how cruel football can be as a draw would have been a fairer result.

On Saturday Trafford travel to Matlock Town for an Evo Stik League Premier Division fixture kicking off at 7.45pm and then on Tuesday night they make the journey to Merseyside for a league encounter with Marine FC, kick off 7.45pm.