Trafford slipped to a 2-0 defeat against bogey side 1874 Northwich in a scrappy game at Townfield Lane on Saturday.
On a difficult playing surface that made neat, creative football almost impossible, both teams resorted to playing long passes that were generally easily handled by the defences.
The first attempt on goal arrived in the 13th minute when a curling shot by Northwich midfielder Joe Woolley was held by Matty Cooper and then Trafford full back Matty Morgan produced a great last ditch clearance as Mackenzie O’Neill looked poised to score.
Visiting striker Ollie Ford turned neatly but shot well wide in the 23rd minute and a low drive from 25 yards by Matt Woolley was parried by Trafford keeper Cooper.
The hosts took the lead in the 35th minute when they were awarded a controversial free kick 30 yards from the Trafford goal and Matt Woolley stepped forward to unleash a magnificent drive over the defensive wall and into the top corner.
Trafford battled back and just before half-time Aaron Fleming fed Saj Elhassan whose low goal-bound shot was superbly finger-tipped past the far post by Ellis Allen. From the resulting corner, Harry Norris glanced his header just wide of the left hand upright.
The visitors started the second half on top and Mike Burke fired an angled drive from the right just over before Ollie Ford hesitated in a great position and was dispossessed.
An Aaron Fleming overhead kick flew just over and Mike Burke’s left footed shot was easily held by Allen as Trafford dominated without being able to create a clear opening.
Manager Danny Caldecott used all his substitutes in an attempt to force the equaliser but still the home defence remained relatively untroubled and in the 81st minute they clinched the three points with another set-piece goal.
A left wing corner was pushed out by Matty Cooper but fell invitingly into the path of Mark Jones who volleyed first time inside the right hand post from ten yards.
Roared on by their magnificent supporters, Trafford battled gamely to reduce the arrears but the only chance of note was a free kick from the left by Alfie Belcher that was glanced over by Aaron Fleming
This was Trafford’s third successive defeat at the hands of the Northwich side who were promoted to the Northern Premier League just last season and Danny Caldecott’s side will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they travel to play Clitheroe on Tuesday night.