TRAFFORD moved up to sixth place in the Evo Stik League Division One North table with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against a stubborn Mossley outfit at Shawe View.

Despite the atrocious weather, a healthy crowd of just under 200 were treated to an exciting game with the home side dominating the opening exchanges and Lee Rick going close after just three minutes with a thunderous drive that was turned behind by Liam Flynn.

Flynn then held another low shot by Rick before Trafford were rocked in the 19th minute when Mossley took the lead completely against the run of play, Mike Fish heading unchallenged into the roof of the net following a right wing corner.

The visitors joy was short-lived as just two minutes later Ashley Stott broke down the left and rolled a delightful pass into the path of Jack Dorney who cleverly steered the ball past Flynn and into the bottom corner.

In the 23rd minute, Dorney broke clear but hesitated before appearing to be tripped and three minutes later the visitors were reduced to ten men when Mitchell Bryant kicked out at Danny Caldercott in an off the ball incident.

Dorney saw another appeal for a penalty turned down as once more he appeared to be tripped and in the 35th minute Luke Horrocks broke through but was thwarted by a brave save by Flynn.

Kyle Jacobs was controlling the game with some exquisite touches in the midfield and in the 42nd minute he broke forward but drove wide from 20 yards.

The first half closed with Trafford completely on top and left back Caldercott curling a right foot shot inches over.

The 10 men of Mossley made their intentions clear from the start of the second half, packing their defence and clearly aiming for a point.

Nevertheless, Lee Rick squandered a great chance in the 53rd minute when he chipped wide following a superb pass by Jacobs and Ashley Stott fired high and wide from 15 yards.

Simon Woodford saw his weak effort held at the foot of the post by Flynn and, as Trafford were becoming increasingly frustrated by the visitor’s tactics, substitutes Dmitri Tuanzebe and Sam Noar were introduced.

Flynn pushed a 25-yard drive by Jacobs past the post and Trafford were given a fright when Simon Woodford cleared a volley by Dave Short off the goal-line as Mossley mounted a rare attack.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute when Tuanzebe clipped a great pass into the path of Noar who advanced to coolly slip the ball past the advancing Flynn.

Jack Dorney squandered a glorious opportunity to make it 3-1 in the 87th minute but saw his close range effort deflected wide by Flynn and two minutes later Mossley were reduced to nine men when skipper Andy Keogh was red carded for kicking out at Chris Palmer.

The final whistle signalled a crucial victory for Tom Baker’s side and they will be looking to build on this on Saturday when Witton Albion are the visitors to Shawe View in a 3 pm. kick off.