TRAFFORD moved up into second place in the Evo-Stik League Division One North table following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Colne on Tuesday night.

After a close fought opening, Tom Baker’s side began to take control with Aaron Burns' snapshot in the 18th minute being held by Nosakhare Aghayere.

And on the half-hour mark they forged ahead when Ally Brown struck a fierce cross from the right that was headed in at the near post by Burns.

Burns whistled a 35-yard drive just past the post before Colne full back Lee Pugh stormed forward seconds before the interval and cracked a shot inches wide of the right-hand upright.

The second half was scrappy for long spells before Trafford burst into action once again in the 64th minute, Burns blasting a penalty past Aghayere after being unceremoniously brought down by Chris Lynch.

The remainder of the game belonged entirely to the hosts with Lee Neville twice going close, Ash Woods seeing his piledriver from 20 yards parried by Aghayere and substitute Luke Horrocks' low drive deflecting past the upright off a Colne defender. But they had done enough to collect the three points that keep them hot on the heels of Scarborough, two points behind the leaders but with two games in hand.

The Tuesday-night victory follows Trafford's 1-0 victory at Farsley Celtic on Saturday, courtesy of Nathan Turner's own goal at the end of the first half.

Baker's men have now stretched their unbeaten league run to nine games and have not conceded a goal in their last six.

However, they face another stern test on Saturday when they entertain Brighouse Town at Shawe View as the Yorkshire side lie just three points behind in ninth place, an indication of just how competitive the league has become.