IT was honours even as Droylsden and Trafford produced some scintillating football to defy the conditions at the Butcher’s Arms on Saturday before their Evo-Stik North clash finished 1-1.

Both sides attacked from the outset and after just two minutes a great cross from the left by Trafford striker Aaron Burns was half-volleyed over by Dominic McHale from 10 yards.

Bloods’ midfielder Danny Ventre then rifled a drive from 25 yards that was held by Grant Shenton before McHale struck an audacious chip from 40 yards that rebounded into play off the right-hand post.

Shenton pushed a snapshot from Liam Caddick past the upright before the impressive McHale cut in from the right but fired into the side-netting.

Droylsden striker Sefton Gonzalez stepped past Keil O’Brien but shot past the far post as the end-to-end action continued with the best chance falling to Trafford’s on-loan forward Sean Miller, who broke clear in the 29th minute but hesitated and was thwarted by a superb last-ditch tackle by Jacques Kpohomouh.

Disaster struck for the visitors five minutes later when a cross came in from the left and Steve Mason headed past Shenton for a desperately unfortunate own goal.

Trafford were undaunted by this setback and pushed forward in search of the equaliser, McHale twice going close and Declan Rydings screwing his shot past the far post after a slick five-man move.

The second half began in a similar vein to the first with both teams totally committed to attack and in the 47th minute Scott Sephton shot inches wide from 15 yards.

At the other end, Shenton saved a Caddick drive from the edge of the penalty area and Ventre drove wastefully wide from 15 yards.

Trafford introduced substitute Danny Frost in place of the tiring Miller and he immediately made his presence felt with a low shot from 18 yards that was held at full length by Richie Branagan.

Andy Langford saw his volley deflected behind as the visitors pushed forward but in the 72nd minute Ventre almost made it 2-0 when he failed to connect properly with a cross from the right and Shenton gathered.

Sixty seconds later Trafford were rewarded for their enterprise when Frost flicked the ball inside, Droylsden centre-back Domaine Rouse handled and Burns stepped forward to coolly slam the resulting penalty past Branagan.

Frost shot agonisingly wide from 10 yards as Trafford pushed for the winner but a thoroughly entertaining game came to a close with the teams all square.

Trafford are in league action again on Saturday at the First Point Shawe View Stadium when they entertain Colne, kick off 3pm.

* A few tickets still remain for the Trafford FC sportspersons evening at Davyhulme Park Golf Club on Friday, March 2.

Guest speaker is ex-Newcastle United, Manchester City and England defender Steve Howey with comedian Tony Roscoe.

Tickets can be obtained from David Law on 07772 287086.