A BRILLIANT performance by keeper Tom Read earned a youthful Trafford side a point in a physical encounter at Halesowen Town last Saturday.

Manager Graham Heathcote included seven teenagers in his squad, but they took the lead through an Adam Jones header and hung on for a 1-1 draw.

Liam Blake, aged 17, should have given Trafford the lead after breaking clear in only the sixth minute but was denied by a fine reflex save by Matthew Sargeant.

A minute later Town striker Iyesden Christie cut in from the right but saw his shot blocked by Read, with Aaron Daniels volleying the rebound over the bar.

Daniels collected a weak kick by Read but shot tamely into the goalkeeper's hands.

The fleet-footed home striker then skipped past two Trafford defenders but was thwarted by another brave save.

Backed by their vociferous supporters, the home side continued to push forward and in the 27th minute Christie broke clear down the centre but shot straight at Read.

David Meese then fired into the side-netting as the Trafford goal led a charmed life and in the 39th minute Christie was clean through once more but Read blocked his effort with his legs.

In the dying seconds of the first half the home team and supporters were rocked when Trafford took the lead, Andy Smart floating a free kick to the back post and Jones heading neatly into the bottom corner.

After a quiet start to the second period Town started to dominate once more, but again found Read to be in inspired form.

The giant keeper saved full length from Aaron Griffiths in the 57th minute and then tipped a swerving thunderbolt over the bar from the same player.

Asa Charlton and David Meese both headed inches wide as Town turned the screw and yet it was Trafford who could have increased their lead in the 69th minute when Jeff King seized upon a weak kick by Sargeant, but lacked the necessary composure and fired well wide of the unguarded goal.

That miss cost Trafford dear as Town equalised a minute later.

Substitute Ben Haseley wrong-footed Read with a low shot from 15 yards that flew into the bottom corner.

The home side sensed victory and Meese drove just wide before Read produced another great save to deny Ashleigh Granville.

The Trafford defence was under intense pressure but with Jones, Smart and Martyn Andrews all performing heroics, the visitors managed to hold on for a point, albeit with the help of another magnificent save by Read deep into injury time when he flung himself to his right to tip a Curtis Tilt effort around the post.

Trafford were due to play at Ramsbottom United last night before entertaining Kings Lynn at Shawe View on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

They then travel back down to the Midlands on Easter Monday to play Rushall Olympic.