PROMOTION hopefuls Trafford and Colne fought out a dour goalless draw in difficult conditions at the First Point Shawe View Stadium on Saturday.

After a high-tempo start in which goals seemed inevitable, the game descended into a stalemate with defences on top, midfielders cancelling each other out and forwards isolated.

Neither goalkeeper had to make a save of any note throughout the game, the best chance of the first half falling to Colne’s Richard Baker in the 17th minute when he struck a free kick from the edge of the penalty area straight at Elliot Wynne.

The visitors were on top as half time approached but the Trafford centre-back pairing of Keil O’Brien and Andy Langford were in a determined and resolute mood and Wynne was untroubled in the home goal.

Colne winger Bradley Lynch had a chance in the opening seconds of the second half but Wynne gathered comfortably and in the 61st minute another weak shot by Lynch was held by the on-loan goalkeeper from Altrincham.

Four minutes later the game erupted when Trafford skipper Ally Brown caught Bradley Knox from behind and received a second yellow card having committed a similar transgression in the first period.

Despite this, Trafford’s 10 men dealt comfortably with the opposition who appeared content to settle for a draw and once again goalkeeper Wynne was relatively untroubled.

In the 75th minute Colne, too, were reduced to 10 men when Lynch dived theatrically in the Trafford penalty area and, as he had already received a caution, the referee had no option but to send him off.

In the 82nd minute Trafford created virtually their only chance of the second half when a neat move ended with Chris Palmer side-footing wide from the edge of the penalty area, but the game then petered out in pouring rain with honours even.

On Saturday, Trafford travel to Widnes FC for a 3pm kick off.