Trafford were made to rue missed chances in a dominant first half performance, conceding an equaliser five minutes from time in a game played in atrocious conditions at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.
With Storm Darragh causing the postponement of all but two games in the NPL West Division, Mossley v Atherton Collieries being the only other game taking place, it was a wonder that 216 hardy souls braved the appalling weather for a fixture that would normally attract well over 500.
And Karl Marginson’s side made light of the conditions in the opening stages as they surged forward with Jerome Wright firing over in the 8th minute and then striking a free kick straight at Thomas Myles four minutes later.
Rio Clegg found himself in space but shot wastefully over the bar before Trafford took the lead in the 22nd minute, skipper Harry Norris rising the highest in a packed goalmouth to head home a left wing corner.
Trafford right back Sean Higgins twice went close to doubling his team’s lead, heading a Jerome Wright cross wide at the back post and then blasting a shot from 15 yards that was blocked by Myles.
In the 42nd minute Brad Byrne wasted a great opportunity to make it 2-0 when he broke clear in a two v one situation but instead of finding the unmarked Rio Clegg he allowed Linnets defender Karl Clair to intercept his pass.
The second half began in a similar vein to the first with Trafford on top but failing to turn their dominance into further goals and in the 56th minute another quick and incisive break ended with Cian Donohue just failing to force the ball home at the back post.
Rio Clegg brilliantly rounded two Linnets defenders but fired over, and then just failed to connect cleanly with a near post header following a cross from the left.
However, Linnets were beginning to get on top as the game entered the final quarter and Trafford were fortunate to escape when keeper Sam Booth played Jack Higginbottom into trouble 35 yards out and visiting substitute Ryan Brooke shot over with the goal at his mercy.
Booth pushed a powerful drive by Adam Moseley to safety in the 77th minute and manager Marginson made a number of substitutions in an attempt to stem the tide, but still the visitors pushed forward in search of the equaliser.
Lewis Doyle shot straight at Booth from a good position in the 82nd minute and three minutes later Linnets were rewarded for their superiority when a wickedly flighted right wing corner by Naim Arsan flew over everyone and nestled inside the back post.
Two minutes from time, Linnets defender Jack Grundy was sent off for a rash and dangerous challenge on Brad Byrne but Trafford were unable to make the extra man count and had to settle for a disappointing draw.
Despite their disappointment Trafford can be pleased with what was arguably their best home performance of the season and they will be hoping to build on this on Saturday when they welcome Chasetown to the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium, kick off 3 p.m.