TRAFFORD missed an opportunity to all but secure themselves a play-off spot in Evo-Stik North on Saturday when they were narrowly defeated 1-0 at bottom club Goole.

The hosts had achieved only three home wins all season, and expectations were high amongst the Trafford faithful who travelled to Humberside to support the team.

Trafford started brightly with leading scorer Aaron Burns testing the Goole keeper early on.

As the first half progressed however, the poor playing surface and the home side’s dogged determination became levellers and it developed into a scrappy midfield contest.

Trafford’s Ally Brown was able to make a couple of surging runs down the right, but it was not until the end of the half that another clear-cut chance was created.

The lively Burns slipped a ball to his strike partner James Dean, but home goalkeeper Ben Saynor – their Supporters’ Player of the Year – deflected the shot wide.

A late first-half spell of Trafford pressure was survived by the home side and the teams went into the break level.

Trafford came out of the traps brightly at the start of the second half and midfielder Laurence Taylor flashed the ball across the face of goal but there was nobody there to tap home.

Goole created one or two chances of their own, but Grant Shenton was largely untroubled in the visitors’ goal. Meanwhile at the other end, Trafford’s efforts were being manfully defended by what was a makeshift Goole defence.

Manager Tom Baker sensed the urgency and replaced defender Paul Linwood with striker Mark Derbyshire but before the changes could have the desired effect Goole went ahead.

While the Trafford defence were still reorganising, the home side capitalised when Stephen Smith found space down the right and crossed for Declan Howe to power home in the 63rd minute.

Baker immediately replaced another defender, Steve Mason, with creative midfielder Jack Dorney and his introduction was key to a period of sustained Trafford pressure.

Chances fell for the team in yellow but somehow the Goole defenders and goalkeeper kept them out.

In the last 10 minutes, Trafford threatened an equaliser but failed to find that perfect final touch.

For all the sustained pressure, Goole hung on for a bittersweet victory, having already been relegated earlier in the week.

Trafford’s promotion dreams are still alive as they currently sit in the final play-off spot, but rivals Colwyn Bay are just two points behind with a game in hand.

Trafford travel to Bay tonight in what will surely be the deciding match in the race for the play-offs.