TRAFFORD moved to within five points of the play-off positions in Evo-Stik West following Saturday’s excellent 2-1 victory at Droylsden.

In a hard, physical encounter Trafford were on top in the opening minutes and Keil O’Brien should have put them ahead when he fired over at the back post following Jack Dorney’s left-wing corner.

However, just 60 seconds later, and in a carbon-copy move from the right, Dorney’s corner found debutant Sam Egerton and he fired home from close range.

This goal seemed to stir Droylsden into action and almost immediately danger man Sefton Gonzales broke clear but was denied by a superb save at point-blank range by Matty Cooper.

More slack marking from another corner in the ninth minute led to the Droylsden equaliser, Liam Caddick heading home from just three yards as Trafford failed to clear.

Play became rather scrappy for the remainder of the first half with the only incident of any note being a miss-kick by Cooper in the 20th minute, but O’Brien dealt coolly with the situation as Gonzales threatened.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, too, with Trafford’s Darius Palma seeing a shot blocked in the 54th minute following good work by Adam Farrell before the visitors forged ahead three minutes later with the winning goal.

Droylsden centre back Shaquille Clarke carelessly conceded possession just outside his own penalty area, Dorney neatly fed Ross Davidson and the midfielder struck a hard, low drive that flew past Chris Thompson and inside the far post.

The Trafford defence was magnificent for the remainder of the game and the hosts failed to create any goalscoring opportunities, and it was Tom Baker’s side who should have added to their lead when substitute Declan Rydings rounded the Droylsden goalkeeper in the 84th minute but lacked composure and saw his shot deflected wide, and from the resulting corner, O’Brien headed against the bar.

Nevertheless, the Trafford management team were delighted with a victory that keeps them in the hunt for promotion and they will be confident of another three points on Saturday when they entertain Glossop North End at the First Point Shawe View Stadium, kick off 3pm.