THERE was little festive cheer for Trafford as they look to pull themselves away from the Evo-Stik League Premier Division relegation zone.

They suffered a 3-0 home defeat against an impressive Rushall Olympc on Boxing Day before their home clash with Barwell on Sunday was postponed.

With two tough games against FC United and leaders Skelmersdale United next up, the holiday season has been anything but restful for the local lads.

Trafford are second bottom, but with six points separating the five teams above them a couple of wins could make the situation look a lot more healthy.

They will need to improve on their latest showing, however, when 15th-placed Rushall enjoyed a dominant victory.

Trafford were fortunate not to concede early on when Tom Read twice denied visiting striker Aaron Williams.

It was the start of a busy day for the goalkeeper but for whom the margin of victory could have been a lot bigger.

Michael Oates went close for Trafford in the 27th minute when he latched on to midfielder Rory Fallon's pass but his thunderous drive was blocked by Cameron Belford.

The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute with a soft goal as Trafford failed to clear a corner and Rushall skipper Gavin Caines drove home from close range.

The visitors were well on top as Trafford struggled to cope without the dynamic presence of leading goalscorer Shelton Payne and they had two lucky escapes just before the interval.

Trafford’s plight was made all the more difficult at half time as Fallon was forced to withdraw due to illness and Rushall pressed forward from the restart in search of further goals.

Read saved brilliantly to thwart Caines and Williams but was helpless to prevent the latter making it two in the 70th minute when he rounded off a quick break with a shot into the bottom corner.

And two minutes later the game was as good as over when Williams fired a low drive from 20 yards that took a slight deflection and flew past Read.

Trafford were chasing shadows as the visitors dominated possession with ease and Williams almost completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute but was denied by a brave block by Read before giant centre half Aaron Brown headed just wide following a cross from the right.

Garry Vaughan’s side must pick themselves up ahead of the New Year's Day trip to Curzon Ashton to meet FC United of Manchester followed by a home game against Skelmersdale on Saturday.