TRAFFORD’S preparations for the forthcoming season continued on Tuesday night when they entertained Altrincham in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Shawe View.

Following comfortable victories over Abbey Hey and Turton, Conference North outfit Alty provided a much sterner test but Tom Baker’s side got off to a fine start when after just nine minutes Aaron Burns finished off a fine four-man move with a great angled drive from 18 yards.

New signing Kingsley Williams rifled a shot just wide but Altrincham levelled in the 31st minute when Lee Neville was harshly adjudged to have fouled Damian Reeves and Billy Hasler-Cregg cracked the resultant free kick inside the angle of crossbar and upright.

A first half played in searing heat ended with Burns firing over from 15 yards, Hasler-Cregg volleying just wide and Reeves firing straight at Trafford keeper Terry Smith.

The hosts dominated the opening stages of the second half although Alty looked dangerous on the break, with Tom Hannigan curling a shot just wide in the 51st minute.

Seven minutes later Connor Martin should have scored when he broke clear down the left but side-footed the ball past the far post.

Kyle Jacobs then released Chris George with an exquisite pass from midfield but the latter lifted the ball over both goalkeeper and crossbar.

Trafford’s rhythm and shape was upset by a number of substitutions but they still could have won the game when, in the 84th minute, a Neville corner was headed down by Ryan Ledson and Mitch Bryant volleyed into the side-netting.

An entertaining game played in extremely difficult conditions came to an end and Trafford can now look forward to another tough test on Saturday when Chorley are the visitors for a game kicking off at 3pm.