TRAFFORD MV headed for the coast needing a win to maintain a realistic chance of a promotion challenge but fell to a 12-6 defeat at Thornton Cleveleys.

Inconsistent form has been the hallmark of MV's season and this game was no exception.

MV took an early lead with a penalty from skipper Pat Eccles but neither side showed much control and possession was squandered by both teams.

Open and flowing rugby was not the script for the day as both sets of forwards had a long afternoon.

However, Thornton worked their way into the MV '22 and, from a line-out on the left, the ball was kept tight and a rolling maul forced its way over the MV line.

With the wind pushing the conversion wide of the upright, the sides went into half time with Trafford trailing 5-3.

The second half mirrored the first with MV sneaking their way back into a slender lead with a penalty from full back Ben Wheeler to make it 6-5.

But a win was never certain and in the latter stages of the game forward pressure again told for Thornton.

Good interplay among the forwards saw the open-side flanker breakthrough the MV tight defence.

Trafford claimed the attempt was held up, however the referee felt he was in a good position to award the try and the Thornton stand off slotted an easy conversion to seal the game 12-6 for the home side.

Trafford were left only blaming themselves for losing vital points.

A positive end to the season is essential to give credibility to the potential that the side undoubtedly has and the players must prove themselves to achieve results.

Elsewhere, MV's seconds won 29-12 at Fylde but the thirds lost 26-6 at home to Heaton Moor.