TRAFFORD extended their unbeaten run to six games with a hard-earned point from a pulsating 1-1 draw at Glossop North End on Saturday.

The Evo-Stik North clash was played at a breakneck pace throughout and the visitors almost snatched the lead after three minutes when Lee Neville fed Josh Amis, whose close range shot was held at the second attempt by Paul Phillips.

Just 60 seconds later Glossop left winger Zeph Thomas squandered an unbelievable chance when he failed to convert a Callum Chippendale cross from two yards and the end-to-end action continued with home skipper Gary Gee blasting a superb drive from 30 yards that struck the angle of post and bar.

In the 18th minute Trafford forged ahead when Chris Palmer pulled the ball back to James Dean and his shot from 15 yards was bundled home by Aaron Burns from point-blank range.

Neville then volleyed over after Keil O’Brien had nodded the ball into his path, but there were few chances for the remainder of the first half as both defences dominated.

In the 54th minute Trafford substitute Michael Monaghan was harshly adjudged to have tripped Courtney Meppen-Walter but justice prevailed when Thomas ballooned the resulting penalty yards over the bar.

And within a minute Trafford should have doubled their lead when Monaghan broke through in the inside left channel, saw his shot blocked by a Glossop defender and as the ball fell kindly to Dean, the big striker was denied by a magnificent one-handed save by Phillips.

The game became a contrast in styles as Trafford attempted to control play with their neat, composed, possession football whereas Glossop relied on the long ball that suited their bustling, bruising, high-octane style.

However, it was from a set-piece that the hosts levelled in the 71st minute when a brilliant chipped free kick by Chris Baguley found Adam Jones beyond the far post and he sent a looping header over Grant Shenton to nestle into the bottom corner.

Back came Trafford and Dean missed a great chance to restore their lead when he shot wide from eight yards before linking neatly with substitute Mark Derbyshire only for the latter to overrun the ball allowing Phillips to gather.

Monaghan poked his shot wide from 15 yards as both sides sought a winner but it was Glossop who finished the stronger with Callum Chippendale twice going close in the dying seconds.

The final whistle signalled the end of an enthralling encounter that means Trafford have now lost just one of their last 17 league games and they will be hoping to extend this run on Saturday when they entertain Brighouse Town at the First Point Shawe View Stadium, kick off 3pm.