TRAFFORD’S hopes of promotion suffered another huge blow on Saturday when they lost 2-0 to Newcastle Town and ended the game with just nine men.

Visiting striker Jordan Cole spurned an early chance when he scuffed his shot wide from 10 yards, while at the other end Danny Wilkins broke through but saw his close-range volley well saved by Matthew Johnson.

In the 26th minute Town almost took the lead when danger man Rod Orlando-Young clipped the ball past Elliot Wynne but Trafford skipper Chris Palmer saved the day with a superb goalline clearance.

Liam Ellis then headed onto the roof of the net as play swung from end to end but defences were generally on top and the first half ended goalless.

Seven minutes into the second half a shot by Trafford’s Lewis Nightingale was fumbled by Johnson but Ellis just failed to convert the rebound.

In the 56th minute a moment of controversy swung the game Town’s way and left Trafford with an uphill task.

As Trafford sought desperately to clear the ball in a frantic goalmouth scramble, Orlando-Young struck a hard, low drive that Matty Hughes was adjudged to have handled. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, sent Hughes off and Orlando-Young crashed the spot-kick past Wynne to put Town ahead.

Trafford manager Tom Baker made a triple substitution, introducing Keil O’Brien, Jack Dorney and Ally Brown and for a spell the 10 men of Trafford pushed forward in search of the equaliser.

However, after Orlando-Young had twice gone close to doubling Town’s lead, Cole broke away in the 79th minute and, with Trafford vainly appealing for offside, clipped the ball past the advancing Wynne.

Trafford still refused to accept defeat and in the 89th minute a great move ended with Brown blasting a shot from point-blank range that was brilliantly saved by Johnson.

Just 60 seconds later the hosts were reduced to nine men when Dorney upended James Steele and, as he had already received a yellow card, he was given his marching orders.

This defeat means that Trafford have now dropped to eighth place in Evo-Stik West and on Saturday they host an in-form Ramsbottom United at the First Point Shawe View Stadium, kick off 3pm.