TRAFFORD were cruelly dumped out of the Integro League Cup on Tuesday night, a breakaway goal three minutes from time earning home side Clitheroe a 3-2 win and a place in the quarter-finals.

Both defences were on top in the opening stages but the hosts finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Mitch Bryant neatly tucked the ball past Terry Smith from 10 yards.

In the 33rd minute Bryant had a glorious opportunity to make it two when he broke clear down the middle but blasted his shot miles over with just Smith to beat.

However, that second goal duly arrived two minutes later when Clitheroe were awarded a free kick 22 yards out and Kurt Willoughby struck a low shot that nestled in the bottom corner off the foot of the post.

Trafford came out for the second half in a far more determined mood and in the 51st minute they were denied a clear penalty when Filose Irakoze was pushed from behind.

However, the referee was saved from an embarrassing situation when the clearance fell to Kingsley Williams who blasted a great drive from 25 yards inside the right-hand upright.

Ten minutes later the visitors were on level terms when Jonah Gosling headed across goal and substitute Alexis Finch arrived to smash the ball home from point-blank range with his first touch in a Trafford shirt.

Trafford were now in the ascendancy and Greg Daniels was sent clear but hesitated and was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle by Ian Rowlands.

Ashley Woods then volleyed against the back post following a deep cross by Liam Brownhill and Finch was desperately unlucky not to notch a second when he headed against the bar from eight yards.

Substitute Chris Palmer was introduced to the fray and he too went close with a rasping drive that was brilliantly tipped over by the under pressure Chris Thompson.

The visitors were throwing everything forward as they sensed victory but in the 87th minute they were caught with a sucker-punch, Palmer squandering another chance from close range and Clitheroe immediately breaking downfield where Greg West gleefully turned the ball past Smith to make it 3-2.

Having dominated the second half and created a host of chances, Trafford were devastated by this late reversal but can take great heart from an inspired performance.

And they will be hoping to repeat this on Saturday when they travel to play Droylsden, kick off 3pm.