TRAFFORD travelled to Yorkshire on Saturday and came from behind twice to secure a valuable away point against promotion-challenging Pontefract Collieries.

In windy conditions, Tom Baker’s boys almost took the lead as early as the sixth minute when Lewis Salmon broke clear but was thwarted by an excellent tackle from Pontefract defender Jameel Ible.

The home side hit Trafford’s post on the half hour mark, and soon after Salmon again tested the Pontefract defence but was thwarted by what appeared to be a push inside the area.

Despite Trafford's appeals for a penalty, it was the hosts who took the lead via a spot-kick shortly before half-time, scored by Vaughan Redford.

The second half continued to be a tight contest with Trafford very much in contention. Salmon brought the best out of Colls’ ‘keeper Seb Malkowski on 51 minutes then, on the hour, boss Baker made a double substitution that had the desired effect.

Within five minutes of the changes, Max Hazeldine outmuscled his marker to latch on to a Salmon through ball and slot the equaliser past Malkowski.

Trafford suffer the occasional lapse in concentration, and so it was that Pontefract regained the lead within two minutes of losing it, Redford scoring his second.

One thing you can’t accuse Trafford of however is a lack of desire, and they did come straight back at it. Ross Davidson forced another great save from Malkowski and from the resultant corner, Joel Amado headed home the equaliser 13 minutes from the end.

Trafford meet Pontefract again this coming Saturday, March 14, at the Home Estates Shawe View Stadium with kick-off 3pm.