SUBSTITUTES Mark Derbyshire and Aaron Burns struck two crucial second-half goals to keep alive Trafford’s hopes of a play-off spot after a 2-1 home win against Ramsbottom United.

The hosts started brightly and should have taken the lead in the eighth minute when James Dean released Jack Dorney who chipped the ball into the arms of Sam Ashton with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Dean fired over in the 22nd minute and it was against the run of play that Rammy took the lead in the 39th minute when Trafford half-cleared a free kick from the left and Jamie Rother rifled a superb drive from 30 yards inside the right-hand upright.

Trafford thought they had equalised on the stroke of half time when Sean Miller’s curling drive was parried by Ashton but following an almighty goalmouth scramble, Dean blasted over from 15 yards.

Home manager Tom Baker withdrew Miller and Declan Rydings at half time, replacing them with forwards Derbyshire and Burns and within seven minutes of the restart Derbyshire struck with a towering header into the top corner following a cross by Dean.

Burns and Derbyshire linked neatly shortly afterwards with the latter volleying just wide from 20 yards and in the 64th minute Trafford took the lead when Derbyshire flighted a cross to the back post and Burns rose to power a header past Ashton.

The Rammy keeper then pushed a Derbyshire drive past the post before Trafford’s custodian Grant Shenton produced his first save of the game when he held a Greg Daniels volley.

Trafford were now well in control and a superb header by Andy Langford from just inside the penalty area flew just wide before Lee Neville struck a 25-yard free kick inches past the upright.

In the 87th minute Dean almost made it three when he shot wide after more good work by Derbyshire but the game ended with Trafford comfortably defending their lead and securing an absolutely crucial three points on the back of their goalless draw with Radcliffe the previous Thursday.

This win means Baker’s side are now five points clear of seventh-placed Colwyn Bay, who have two games in hand. Their visit to Goole on Saturday is a must-win game.