TRAFFORD produced a tremendously determined and dogged display on Saturday to hold play-off chasing Barwell to a 1-1 draw in their Evo Stik Premier Division clash at Shawe View.

The visitors dominated the opening stages with Darren Brennan glancing a header just wide after three minutes and then firing over from just eight yards shortly afterwards.

Trafford’s livewire striker Astley Mulholland then curled a drive inches past the far post following a slick move by the hosts and Brennan went close again but was denied by a fine reflex save by Tom Read.

Jimmy McCarthy saw his shot parried by Liam Castle as Trafford grew in confidence and in the 32nd minute Graham Heathcote’s side took the lead in a bizarre manner when Castle’s attempted clearance struck debutant Liam Blake and trickled over the goal-line.

Four minutes later Mulholland had a great chance to make it two when he broke clear in the inside left channel but Castle left his line to make a brave block, and centre half Adam Jones saw his goal bound effort cleared off the line by Barwell right back Scott Lower.

Defensive lynchpin Jones was then knocked unconscious as he contested a high ball and was replaced by Chris McDonagh with skipper Martyn Andrews dropping into the back four.

And within two minutes of the restart Barwell were level when Tom Read misjudged a long through pass and Brennan nipped in to guide the ball home.

The second half saw Barwell in the ascendancy for long periods but Trafford were magnificent in defence with Andrews and Lewis Chalmers rock-like in the centre and full backs Chris Palmer and Andy Smart resolute and commanding.

Goalkeeper Tom Read more than atoned for his earlier error with some excellent saves, thwarting a shot by substitute Anthony Carney and a thunderous drive by Alex Tomkinson.

Trafford were restricted to long range efforts from McCarthy and McDonagh although Barwell keeper Castle was fortunate to escape in the 81st minute when his weak punch from Smart’s free kick was cleared by his defence.

The final whistle signalled the end of an intriguing clash in which the pace, power and sheer physical strength of the Barwell side had severely tested the mental capacity of Graham Heathcote’s revamped team.

On Saturday, Trafford travel down to the Midlands to play Halesowen in a league fixture kicking off at 3 p.m. and then on Wednesday night they visit Ramsbottom United, kick off 7-45 p.m.