TRAFFORD fell to a disappointing defeat by a single goal for the second time in five days at Harrogate Railway on Saturday.

An underwhelming performance saw Trafford rarely threaten the Yorkshire side who belied their lowly league position with a committed, hard working performance.

The visitors once again had the posession in the early stages, but made very little of it, Martyn Andrews volleying wide early on, and Andy Smart's speculative effort saved easily by Railway custodian Sam Dobbs.

Danny Hull forced Dobbs' opposite number Tom Read into a good save soon after.

The game once again became turgid, with passes going astray before Ally Brown tried to inject some life into the visitors when he went on a strong, surging run but shot just wide of the right-hand post.

But, unfortunately for the visitors, the home side began to create all the clear chances from then on, and they almost took the lead when Paddy McGuire's wonderful long range effort flew just over the angle of post and crossbar. Then, on the stroke of half time, the home side took the lead when a good move ended with Hardy being put clean through and he slotted the ball beyond Read from just inside the area.

HT: Harrogate Railway 1-0 Trafford Trafford almost conceded again just two minutes into the second half when Nathan Cartman's header rattled the crossbar. Alex Hallam then spurned two good chances as the home side kept growing in confidence, before Trafford's best chance came when Liam Shipton's deft chip found Will Ahern who tamely headed wide.

Tom Read saved again from the impressive Hardy, who was then denied by a wonderful last ditch tackle by visiting centre half Steve Mason, who along with defensive partner Nia Bayunu had strong games.

Hardy then blotted his copybook somewhat five minutes before time when he was put through one-on-one with Read, but fired over the bar.

Trafford then pushed on for the dying stages of the game as Harrogate looked to see it out, and created just one chance of note when substitute Matt Landregan's shot was saved comfortably by Dobbs, to ensure himself a clean sheet.

The game ended soon after with the home side being well worth their victory, and Trafford looking strangely subdued going forward, and they will be looking to improve this factor of their game for the visit of fellow play-off contenders Curzon Ashton on Saturday (3pm k/o).