TRAFFORD crashed out of the FA Trophy at Prescot on Saturday as missed chances cost them dearly in a 3-1 defeat.

The visitors were hoping to build on last Tuesday’s superb victory over Clitheroe and should have taken the lead after just 15 seconds when Andy Keogh found himself clear with only the goalkeeper to beat but shot straight at Charlie Whittingham.

At the other end, Grant Shenton saved from Valter Fernandes and Dominic Marie but could do nothing to prevent the hosts taking the lead in the ninth minute when Baba Conte turned neatly inside the penalty area and fired into the bottom corner from 10 yards.

In the 23rd minute Trafford found themselves on level terms when Aaron Burns floated a great cross over from the right and James Dean rose to power a header past Whittingham.

Trafford were on top for the remainder of the first half but failed to break down the well-organised home defence and on the stroke of half time Burns was cautioned for a foul on Whittingham that left the keeper writhing in agony.

The Prescot goalkeeper was unable to continue after the interval with right-back Andy Scarisbrick taking over between the sticks and Trafford were confident they could take advantage of the hosts' misfortune.

However, the play was scrappy for long periods although Burns should have done better in the 65th minute when he was fed by substitute Jason St Juste but shot weakly for Scarisbrick to save.

And within a minute the visitors were punished when Shenton produced a magnificent save to deny Marie but Josef Faux pounced on the rebound to volley home.

Five minutes later Prescot struck again with another quick break down the right that ended with a Faux cross to the near post that substitute Lloyd Dean skilfully guided past Shenton.

Trafford pushed forward in the closing minutes and Dean was clean through but poked the ball wide before, deep into injury time, Michael Monaghan should have done better when he collected the ball just eight yards from goal but delayed his shot and the ball deflected behind.

Tom Baker's side will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they travel over the Pennines for an Evo-Stik North fixture at Ossett Albion.