A MAGNIFICENT defensive display by Trafford earned them a 1-0 victory from an enthralling game against high-flying Farsley Celtic in Evo-Stik First Division North on Saturday.

There was little between the teams in an intense and committed opening in which neither goalkeeper was troubled and it wasn’t until the 20th minute that there was an attempt on goal when Celtic’s Paul Walker cracked a low drive that Russ Saunders pushed behind.

Richard Marshall fired into the side netting and James Walshaw headed just past the upright as the visitors dominated and Trafford had to wait until the 37th minute for their first shot on goal when Mark Derbyshire shot weakly at goalkeeper Graham McKibbin.

Seven minutes later the giant Trafford striker atoned for that miss with a sparkling goal when he was released by Aaron Burns and skipped around McKibbin to side-foot the ball home.

Farsley started the second half strongly with Lewis Nightingale blasting an angled drive over and home keeper Saunders producing a fine reflex save to thwart the menacing Walshaw.

Trafford midfielder Kingsley Williams twice went close to increasing the lead when he shot across the face of the goal from 12 yards and then curled a superb shot in from the left that McKibbin spectacularly tipped over the bar.

Farsley were committing players forward in an attempt to salvage something from the game and in the closing minutes Tom Baker’s side squandered several gilt-edged chances to seal the points.

Kyle Jacobs blasted over from a great position, Mitch Bryant saw a back-post effort ruled out for offside and then Williams was desperately unfortunate to see his drive from 15 yards rebound back into play off the foot of the post.

Despite the missed opportunities, Trafford were delighted with their 1-0 victory and now travel up to the North East to play Bishop Auckland in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.