A Rio Clegg double paved the way for Trafford’s 2-1 victory over ten-man Clitheroe in a feisty encounter at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium.
Clitheroe Player-Chairman Danny Wilkins was red carded after just ten minutes for an elbow on Jerome Wright but it was the visitors who created the first chance of note when a close range header by Veron Parny was held at the second attempt by Ollie Culkin.
Rio Clegg drove just wide in the 22nd minute and then saw his 30 yard shot held by James McClenaghan as Trafford dominated and Clegg was finally rewarded in the 27th minute when he tapped home from close range following great work on the left by Kevin Spinelli.
A free kick by Clitheroe’s Jack McEvilly was comfortably held by Culkin and the first half ended with Ben Woods firing just wide from 25 yards as Trafford sought a second goal.
The second half started slowly with neither team creating any chances but in the 64th minute Trafford were given a scare when a quick break by Clitheroe ended with Luke Gill poking the ball over from just eight yards.
The Trafford defence then scrambled the ball clear at the near post following a free kick from the left before the hosts doubled their lead in the 71st minute.
A lightning fast break saw Rio Clegg feed Matty Lusakueno who was unceremoniously dumped to the ground by Jacob Hanson. Referee Bruce immediately pointed to the penalty spot and Rio Clegg stepped forward to crash his penalty into the top corner via the underside of the crossbar.
That should have been game over, but just a minute later, Trafford skipper Harry Norris misjudged a long high pass and Luke Gill stole in to slot the ball past Culkin.
The ten men of Clitheroe pushed forward in search of an unlikely equaliser and in the 82nd minute McEvilly half-volleyed over the bar from 15 yards.
At the other end a Taylor Dyson free kick was pushed past the post by McClenaghan and Lusakueno should have made the points safe in the 85th minute but over-ran the ball when fed by Clegg.
Clitheroe’s appeals for a penalty on two occasions fell on deaf ears and Luke Gill could have snatched a last gasp equaliser but, fortunately for Trafford, shot just wide with Culkin off his line.
Clegg’s two goals move him clear at the top of the NPL West Division goal-scoring chart with twenty and with just three games remaining he is red hot favourite to collect the Golden Boot Award.
And he will be hoping to add to his tally on Saturday when Trafford travel to Hanley Town before entertaining Avro at the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium on Easter Monday, both games kicking off at 3 p.m.