Two goals in the space of four second half minutes consigned Trafford to a 2-1 defeat in an exciting, physical encounter at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.
Celtic dominated possession in the opening minutes but a mazy run down the left by Matty Lusakueno in Trafford’s first attack of note led to Jordan Butterworth clearing the ball for a corner.
Trafford’s new signing Kevin Spinelli sent a header just wide and Rio Clegg saw his drive from 20 yards saved at full length by Charlie Monks as the hosts threatened and in the 23rd minute Joe Duckworth’s free header from close range was fumbled by home keeper Sam Booth before Jordan Fagbola hacked the ball clear.
Lewis Rawsthorn headed wide as Celtic pushed forward and Trafford’s cause was not helped when Matty Morgan was stretchered off just after the half hour mark with a serious knee injury.
The first half came to a close with Matty Lusakueno skinning Jordan Butterworth on the left and flashing a low cross that struck a Celtic defender and rebounded into play off the crossbar, before Trafford full back Sean Higgins cleared a header by Max Leonard off his own goal-line.
The hosts stormed ahead just thirty seconds into the second half when a quick break ended with Jack Higginbottom finding Rio Clegg who arrowed a delicious first time shot from the inside left position inside the far post.
Two minutes later Clegg should have made it two when he broke clear down the middle but unfortunately his touch was too heavy and he allowed Monks to gather.
Trafford were made to rue this miss in no uncertain terms in the 54th minute when a long ball over the top allowed Celtic striker Joe Duckworth to cleverly lift the ball over the advancing Sam Booth and level the scores.
And just four minutes later the Trafford defence was caught napping once again when a deep angled free kick from the left was headed home by Jack Tinning at the back post to put Celtic in the ascendancy.
The visitors were now well in control and Sean Higgins performed heroics once again with another goal-line clearance on the hour.
Shortly afterwards Trafford substitute Cian Donohue played a great one-two with Rio Clegg but over-ran the ball and allowed Monks to save.
Trafford manager Karl Marginson made several substitutions in an attempt to shuffle the pack and get his team back in the game but the experienced Celtic defence remained relatively untroubled and dealt comfortably with everything that was thrown at them.
The final whistle signalled a victory that moves Celtic up to fourth in the NPL West Division whilst Trafford remain in 11th place.
Marginson’s Men will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they make the journey over to Mossley for a league fixture kicking off at 3 p.m.