TRAFFORD were cruelly robbed of three Evo-Stik Premier Division points by a late equaliser following an heroic performance in the Midlands.

Graham Heathcote’s revamped side looked set to bring home a deserved three points when Kayelden Brown volleyed home an equaliser three minutes into injury time.

Second-bottom Trafford deservedly took the lead 30 seconds into the second half with an Andy Smart goal.

And backed by a vociferous following, they produced a stirring performance worthy of a victory only to be denied at the death.

They grew in confidence after mid-table Sourbridge's Drew Canavan struck the outside of the post from 15 yards after four minutes and Trafford had a goal ruled out for offside on 13 minutes when Chris McDonagh guided an Andy Smart cross into the bottom corner.

Jimmy McCarthy blasted a drive from 25 yards that was held by Dean Coleman and then McDonagh headed a Smart corner over the crossbar as Trafford dominated.

The first half ended with the fleet-footed Astley Mulholland firing over from the edge of the area following a neat five-man move by the visitors.

Within 30 seconds of the restart Trafford were ahead when the home defence failed to deal with a long diagonal pass by Matt Doughty and Smart coolly fired into the empty goal from 20 yards.

Stourbridge were stirred into action by this setback and Tom Read produced three fine saves to deny Brown, Luke Benbow and substitute Josh Morgan-Parker.

At the other end, Adam Jones headed a corner just wide and Astley Mulholland flashed a shot across the face of the goal as Trafford sought a second goal.

Mulholland then wasted a golden opportunity to increase the visitors' lead when Trafford broke forward in a three on two situation and the on-loan striker’s appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears as he bore down on the home goal in the 75th minute.

But most of the action was centred upon the Trafford goal as they fought a magnificent rearguard action led by the commanding centre back partnership of Adam Jones and Steve Mason.

The three points appeared to be in the bag when disaster struck three minutes into injury time, Brown ghosting in at the back post to volley into the opposite corner past the helpless Read.

On Saturday, Trafford make the long journey down to Peterborough for a league fixture against Stamford followed by another trip to the Midlands to face Barwell next Tuesday night.

A few tickets still remain for Trafford Football Club's sportsmen's evening on Friday February 27.

The event is being held at Flixton Golf Club and the guest speaker is impressionist Kevin Connelly.

Tickets are available from David Law on 07772 287086.