TRAFFORD’S magnificent travelling supporters were rewarded with a skilful, battling and spirited performance that earned their side the three points.

Trafford were on top in the opening stages with Martyn Andrews and Rory Fallon controlling the midfield and Simon Hackney almost put them ahead when he cut in from the right and blasted in a shot that Steven James pushed behind for a corner.

Nantwich centre back Andy Pearson then struck a fierce low drive that was blocked by Tom Read before Andrews and Andy Smart fired angled drives just off target.

On the half hour, a quickly taken free kick by Max Harrop released Aaron Burns but Tom Read once again saved brilliantly and Burns then flashed a header just wide following a right wing cross.

Shelton Payne twice squandered good opportunities by taking too long on the ball and the first half came to a close with Town’s Andy White stealing in at the back post past the flat footed Rees Welsh but thankfully heading over.

Tom Read twice came to Trafford’s rescue in the opening minutes of the second period, thwarting Andy White and Ben Deegan with brave saves from point blank range.

The game then became rather scrappy and disjointed with little goalmouth action but burst back into action in the 77th minute when Trafford winger Simon Hackney skipped past two defenders and fed Shelton Payne whose goal-bound shot was pushed behind by James.

Two minutes later it seemed that Town would surely break the deadlock when Aaron Burns thundered a header against the crossbar, Read brilliantly saved the rebound from substitute Steve Foster and Trafford’s defence scrambled the ball clear.

However, it was the visitors who snatched the points just two minutes later when Andy Smart swung over a corner from the left and Martyn Andrews rose to power a header past James from 10 yards.

Shelton Payne had two chances to increase Trafford’s lead in the dying minutes, shooting straight at James from 15 yards and then firing wide of the upright from the edge of the penalty area, but the final whistle signalled a magnificent victory for Garry Vaughan’s side who now occupy 11th position in the Evo Stik League Premier Division.

On Saturday Trafford travel to play Witton Albion, kick off 3pm and then on Tuesday night they make the long journey to the Midlands to play Rushall Olympic, kick off 7.45pm.