Trafford 1 Ashton United 2

TRAFFORD suffered an injury time heartbreak as their former winger Kayde Coppin snatched a late, late winner to give Ashton the three points on Tuesday night.

Visiting striker Martin Pilkington was lively throughout and Trafford centre backs Steve Mason and Nia Bayunu both blocked goalbound shots by their jet-heeled opponent in the opening minutes.

In the 28th minute, and slightly against the run of play, Garry Vaughan’s side took the lead when Ashton could only half clear a Trafford attack and left back Andy Smart arrived on the edge of the penalty area to half-volley into the bottom corner.

Michael Oates then broke clear but over-ran the ball and allowed Paul Phillips to gather and just before half time home keeper Andy Robertson acrobatically parried an Ashley Young free kick before blocking the rebound from substitute Matty Chadwick.

The second half was just three minutes old when Ashton fashioned an equaliser, giant striker Richard Bennett collecting the ball 25 yards from goal, turning neatly and cracking a great low drive into the bottom corner past the helpless Robertson.

The visitors were marginally on top with Bennett, Pilkington and Coppin all squandering half chances and it came as a surprise in the 74th minute when dangerman Pilkington was replaced by substitute Chris Baguley.

Trafford came more into the game thanks to the promptings of Rory Fallon and they were unfortunate in the 76th minute when a goalmouth scramble ended with Ashton centre back Jack Higgins heading against his own crossbar.

Nia Bayunu and Simon Hackney both missed great chances to break the deadlock and Trafford thought they had won the game in the 87th minute when Michael Oates fired home but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Then two minutes into injury time disaster struck when Coppin gained possession out on the left, cut across the face of the Trafford penalty area and lashed a fine low drive that flew into the bottom corner.