TRAFFORD 2 CLITHEROE 2

Trafford were robbed of three points on Tuesday night when Clitheroe skipper Richard Baker snatched a 97th minute equaliser despite the referee indicating that there would be just five minutes of added time.
The visitors were on top in the early stages demonstrating their credentials as one of the favourites for promotion but they were stunned in the 12th minute when Clitheroe centre back Lee Pugh gifted a pass to Max Hazeldine who neatly fed Tom Bentham, the big striker coolly placing the ball past the advancing Hakan Burton to put Trafford one up.
Hazeldine then headed straight at Burton following an Ally Brown cross but Clitheroe levelled in the 24th minute when a superbly incisive move ended with Veron Parny clipping the ball past the onrushing Brad Rose.
Clitheroe were now back on top and danger-man Sefton Gonzalez fired into the side-netting before heading wide at the back post.
Jacob Hanson then cracked a low drive that was deflected inches wide and John McGrath squandered a great chance when he shot wide as Brad Rose hesitated.
Trafford were clinging on as half-time approached but could have taken the lead themselves two minutes into added time when a superbly worked free kick ended with Max Hazeldine shooting just wide.
A Demi Rhami free kick in the 54th minute was deflected past the upright with Clitheroe keeper Burton wrong-footed and in the 71st minute substitute Jarma Mohamed curled a drive just wide from 20 yards as Trafford pushed forward.
And they were rewarded for their endeavour in the 83rd minute when intense pressure on the visitors defence ended with Tom Bentham gleefully volleying home from 10 yards to make it 2-1.
With Jack Dorney once again superb in the middle of midfield and the home defence repelling everything that was thrown at them, a victory seemed all but assured.
However, with the home supporters baying for the final whistle and referee King inexplicably allowing play to continue well over the allotted five minutes, Clitheroe swung a corner over from the right, Gonzalez headed the ball back across goal and Richard Baker struck a spectacular overhead kick that flew past Brad Rose and nestled inside the far corner.
Trafford were clearly crestfallen but can once again take great heart from a gutsy, determined and spirited display, and, just like at Hednesford on Saturday, with a bit of luck would have secured all three points.
However, they must now turn their focus on the FA Cup and Saturday’s Preliminary Round Tie at Widnes, before travelling to play Leek Town next Tuesday in an NPL West Division fixture kicking off at 7-45 p.m.