TRAFFORD stretched their unbeaten league run to eight games with an excellent 1-1 draw at Scarborough Athletic on Saturday.

Tom Baker’s side made light of the fact that the game was played on an artificial pitch and, for long spells, looked more at home on the surface than their high-flying hosts, producing some supremely composed, confident and creative football.

And they should have taken the lead in the ninth minute when Andy Keogh failed to connect properly with a good chance from just 10 yards.

Declan Rydings then blasted a drive from 25 yards just wide before Trafford keeper Grant Shenton was called into action in the 27th minute when he pushed a Michael Coulson free kick past the post.

Keogh went close again when he fired wide under pressure from James Knowles but Boro finished the first half strongly with new signing James Walshaw seeing his shot deflected over by Keil O’Brien and Nathan Valentine volleying past the upright from 20 yards.

Disaster struck for Trafford eight minutes into the second period when they afforded Coulson too much space 30 yards from goal and he threaded the ball through to Walshaw who drove it past Shenton.

The visitors seemed undismayed by this setback and continued to impress with their neat possession football, and they were level on the hour when Ally Brown crossed from the right and the ball fell to Declan Rydings who netted inside the far post from just inside the penalty area.

Shenton produced another fine save to deny Walshaw as Boro upped their game and Valentine went close with a back-post header before home keeper Tom Taylor brilliantly pushed a Brown volley past the upright.

The home supporters were becoming frustrated as Trafford’s back three of Andy Langford, O’Brien and Steve Mason formed an impenetrable barrier in front of Shenton, although O’Brien was forced to leave the field with seven minutes remaining with what appeared to be a nasty leg injury.

However, Paul Linwood entered the fray and produced an impressive cameo performance.

The final whistle signalled a fine result for the boys from Shawe View and they now stand in eighth place in the Evo Stik North table, just two points outside the play-off places.

However, they face another tough task on Saturday when they travel to Tadcaster Albion, kick off 3pm.