TRAFFORD produced a determined and dogged display to beat Colne 2-1 and progress to the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

After a defence-dominated and tense opening period, the visitors edged ahead in the 14th minute when Liam Brownhill swung a corner over from the left and centre-back Craig Robinson glanced a header past Tony Aghayere.

Four minutes later Lee Neville had a chance to make it two when he rounded Aghayere but Danny Morton blocked his goalbound effort.

With the sloping pitch in their favour, Trafford pushed forward and in the 35th minute Kyle Jacobs released Aaron Burns with a brave header but the league’s leading goalscorer saw his thunderous drive pushed past the upright.

From the resulting corner the ball fell to the feet of Andy Langford but he blazed over from just five yards.

The second half started brightly with Mark Ayres firing weakly at Russ Saunders as Trafford failed to clear a right-wing corner and Burns driving a low free kick that was held by Aghayere.

In the 54th minute the hosts equalised with a superb goal by danger man Adam Morning who struck a first-time effort from an acute angle out on the left into the far bottom corner.

However, Trafford should have restored their lead just two minutes later when Robinson released Burns down the middle but the striker’s poor first touch allowed Aghayere to gather the ball.

At the other end Matty Beadle had the misfortune to head against the foot of the post with Saunders beaten as an intriguing encounter swung from end to end.

Trafford manager Tom Baker bravely introduced substitutes Kingsley Williams, Luke Horrocks and Filose Irakoze to the fray and he was rewarded in the 83rd minute when Williams neatly played in Irakoze who was tripped inside the penalty area by Chris Lynch.

Burns coolly stepped forward to blast the spot kick past Aghayere and send the visiting Trafford fans into raptures.

In the 88th minute Colne almost snatched another equaliser when substitute Ben Wharton headed just wide from 10 yards.

Trafford’s victory was just reward for a battling performance built on a superb defensive display by centre-backs Josh Granite and Robinson and they now travel to Bamber Bridge for a first qualifying round tie on October 29.

By coincidence, this Saturday Trafford entertain Bamber Bridge at Shawe View in an Evo-Stik First Division North encounter, kicking off at 3pm.