NEIGHBOURS Altrincham and Trafford played out a 1-1 draw as they continued their pre-season preparations for their respective campaigns ahead.

While Alty have one more friendly – Huddersfield Town B on Saturday – Trafford kick-off their Northern Premier League West Division season at home to Colne (3pm KO).

And they do so on the back on an unbeaten build-up programme after sharing the spoils with the National League neighbours.

Home side Trafford started brightly with Connor Hughes volleying straight at Tony Thompson in the third minute and then seeing his first-time effort blocked following a weak header by Joel Senior.

Trafford keeper Ewan McFarland then saved from Tom Peers and Matty Kosylo while at the other end Mike Burke shot into Thompson’s hands in the 19th minute with the Alty keeper well off his line.

Alty began to gain control and McFarland saved superbly to thwart Peers at the back post before Dan Mooney curled a shot inches wide from 20 yards.

And it was Alty who took the lead in the 35th minute when a rare mistake by Trafford skipper Keil O’Brien allowed Mooney to fire home from 15 yards.

The home side’s heads dropped visibly following this setback and both Ben Pringle and Mooney went close to increasing the visitors' lead in the closing minutes of the first half.

Altrincham were once again in the ascendancy in the opening stages of the second half and home keeper McFarland produced another great save to deny substitute Curtis Miller.

However, with Tunde Otaluna and Darius Palma both showing some mesmerising skills on the flanks Trafford came more into the game and drew level in the 69th minute when Adam Rooney rose to meet an Alfie Belcher free-kick and flashed a magnificent header past Thompson and into the top corner.

Trafford full back Harry Sheridan then spectacularly cleared a Marcus Dinanga shot off his own goal line but Danny Caldecott’s side finished the game the stronger, squandering late chances to win the game.