TRAFFORD fell to their third successive league defeat at Runcorn on Saturday, slipping down to 16th in Evo-Stik West after a 2-1 reverse.

The visitors played some neat, composed, possession football from the off but almost fell behind after just three minutes when a lightning-fast counter-attack ended with debutant goalkeeper Matthew Cooper superbly pushing a Paul Shanley effort past the post.

Ex-Trafford full back Louis Corrigan almost caught Cooper out when his cleverly-flighted free kick from 35 yards flew inches wide and in the 28th minute Trafford’s Aaron Burns fired past the far post from 18 yards.

As half time approached the hosts began to get on top and skipper Kyle Hamid poked wide from 10 yards after Trafford failed to clear a free kick.

Hamid then netted from close range but was ruled offside and disaster struck for the visitors two minutes before the interval when Daniel O’Brien struck a fine low free kick into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Trafford continued to dominate possession at the start of the second half but lacked a cutting edge and just after the hour mark manager Tom Baker introduced substitutes Jack Dorney, Matty Bryan and debutant Danny Wilkins.

Within seconds Dorney volleyed inches over but in the 75th minute Linnets struck again when O’Brien curled a wicked inswinging free kick from the left that was missed by everyone and nestled inside the far post.

Trafford refused to lie down and within three minutes pulled a goal back when a great cross by Andy Langford was met by a back post header by centre-back Keil O’Brien.

Despite the late sending off of Linnets’ goal hero O’Brien for a second yellow card, Trafford could not snatch the equaliser.

They will be hoping to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Lancaster City for an FA Cup first qualifying round tie and then on Tuesday they entertain Mossley in a league clash at the First Point Shawe View Stadium, kick off 7.45pm.