TRAFFORD faced an FA Cup preliminary round replay last night after an enthralling and thoroughly entertaining game against Kidsgrove Athletic finished 2-2 at the First Point Shawe View Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts started superbly and a great move in the sixth minute ended with left-back Louis Corrigan cracking a fine low drive into the far corner from 15 yards.

However, they were desperately unlucky two minutes later when a clearance by centre-back Steve Mason struck Lee Cropper on the knee and flew into the top corner past the helpless Grant Shenton.

Both teams were playing attractive, creative football with Jack Dorney and Kingsley Williams dominating the midfield for the hosts and another magnificent move in the 27th minute was finished off by Dorney, who coolly placed the ball past David Parton into the bottom corner.

As half time approached Dorney twice went close with long-range efforts and Trafford were well worth their lead at the interval.

Three minutes into the second half Dorney again went close with a curling drive from the edge of the area following good work by Ash Woods but gradually Kidsgrove began to dominate and in the 63rd minute danger man Ant Malbon blasted a great shot that Shenton brilliantly pushed behind.

Dan Skelton whistled a drive just over as Kidsgrove threatened and in the 71st minute they levelled when Malbon collected the ball just inside the penalty area and squeezed his shot past Shenton and in off the far post.

Malbon almost struck again shortly afterwards when he cut in from the left and fired against the upright and in the 79th minute Trafford substitute Sean Yeldrem broke clear down the middle but shot against advancing keeper Parton.

Both teams were pushing forward in search of the winner and both had penalty appeals turned down in the dying seconds, as Trafford striker James Dean appeared to be pushed as a cross came in from the right, and right-back Ally Brown was relieved to see the referee wave play on as the ball seemed to strike his arm.

Trafford return to Evo-Stik North action at Mossley on Saturday, then on Bank Holiday Monday a large crowd is expected at the First Point Shawe View Stadium when newly-promoted Atherton Collieries are the visitors, kick off 3pm.