TEN man Trafford battled through to the third round of the North West Counties League Cup with a superb 4-1 victory at Shawe View on Saturday.

Trafford kicked off with the strong wind in their favour and stormed ahead after just nine minutes when Craig Malbon and Glyn Barker linked neatly and fed Paul Ashton on the right wing who cut inside and curled a magnificent shot from 30 yards into the far top corner of the Formby goal.

It was all Trafford and they doubled their lead in the 19th minute when a long pass out of defence caught the Formby back line square and flat-footed and Troy Hayder advanced to unleash a looping volley that flew over goalkeeper Ian Lowe and nestled in the back of the net.

Formby had a rare chance three minutes later when Ben Obeng crossed and Will Dolan headed over and it was the home side who were in the ascendancy with Hayder and Barker both firing in shots that were comfortably held by Lowe.

Just before the half time interval Trafford right back Andy Jones advanced down the right and was upended by a Formby defender. However, referee Byrne ruled that Jones had dived' and promptly produced the yellow card.

Formby came out for the second half in determined mood and substitute Michael Jensen fired in a drive that was acrobatically saved by Damien Rooney.

Ben Obeng then lobbed a shot just wide before, in the 63rd minute, the visitors were thrown a lifeline when Jones was amazingly sent off for an innocuous challenge on Obeng.

Two minutes later Formby reduced the arrears when Trafford midfielder Chris Jackson, who only recently signed from the visitors, had the misfortune to slice a free kick past Rooney for an own goal.

The 10 men were now really up against it but responded magnificently and within two minutes made it 3-1 when Gareth Thomas sent a great pass out to Wes Lydiate who fed Glyn Barker, the leading scorer blasting a tremendous drive that flew into the top corner from 30 yards.

Substitute Dion Depeiza was introduced to the action and within three minutes he was on the scoresheet, coolly slotting the ball past Lowe after breaking clear of the visiting defence.

In the 75th minute Michael Jensen missed a great chance for Formby when he shot wide with only Rooney to beat and the Trafford keeper then revealed his class to thwart Steve Mahoney with a superb save.

In the dying seconds Trafford substitute and latest signing Max Kisseh headed just wide following a sweeping move but the Shawe View outfit were nevertheless delighted to win through to the third round where they will meet Oldham Town on January 27.

On Saturday Trafford return to league action when they travel to play St Helens Town at Knowlsey Road, kick off 3 p.m. and then on Tuesday night they journey to Abbey Hey for a game that kicks off at 7-45 p.m.