TRAFFORD stretched their winless run to 11 games with back-to-back defeats at home to Curzon Ashton on Saturday and at Buxton in midweek.

But they only lost by a single goal in both matches against sides who are in the thick of the race for the promotion play-off places.

Jeff King scored twice at seventh-placed Buxton, who came from behind to force a 3-2 win, while sixth-placed Curzon Ashton needed a controversial penalty four minutes from time to seal a 1-0 victory.

Despite their valiant displays, Trafford remain second-bottom of the Evo-Stik Premier Division, 15 points from safety with 11 games to play.

They continue to fight for survival, though, with the Shawe View outfit responding after conceding in only the eighth minute at Buxton to come close to forcing a win.

Alastair Taylor fired the Derbyshire hosts ahead with a low shot into the bottom corner.

And Trafford keeper Tom Read was kept busy in the exchanges, getting down well to save a Craig Nelthorpe free kick at the foot of the post.

Mark Reed should have put Buxton 2-0 up when he mis-kicked with the goal at his mercy, he then broke clear but was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Steve Mason.

But the visitors came back strongly before the break, Astley Mulholland squandering a good chance before the referee waved away decent claims for a penalty after centre-half Adam Jones looked to have been bundled over in the box.

Chris McDonagh then had a shot deflected just past the post and Trafford continued their forward momentum after the interval.

They started the second half in total control, McDonagh chipping just over and Jones flashing a header inches wide.

Trafford were finally rewarded for their superiority in the 66th minute when King struck a low drive that deflected in off Ash Palmer.

And King put them in front three minutes later, dispatching a poor clearance by the Buxton keeper into an empty net.

The home side were back on level terms two minutes later as substitute Bradley Barraclough drove home, and the same player made it 3-2 on 77 minutes from time with a low shot.

Taylor was sent off for Buxton in the closing stages but they hung on to claim all three points.

Curzon skipper Sam Walker dusted himself off after King was harshly judged to have tripped him in the box to score the decisive penalty against Trafford at the weekend.

It was tough to take for the relegation battlers after McDonagh, who enjoyed a successful spell at Curzon, missed a couple of decent chances to put his side in front.

Trafford will go again on Saturday, when they entertain fellow strugglers Stamford at Shawe View, kick off 3pm.