TRAFFORD 1, HEBBURN TOWN 2

Trafford slipped out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle, losing 2-1 to an impressive Hebburn Town outfit in their First Qualifying Round Tie on Tuesday night.
The hosts started strongly and took the lead in the 12th minute when Ryan Morton cut in from the left and struck a great 20 yard drive into the bottom corner.
A pulsating clash played at a terrific pace throughout then saw Trafford’s Matty Barlow fire just over from 30 yards and Rob Worrall whistle an angled drive just wide of the far post before Town’s Liam Murray ended a mazy run past three defenders with a powerful effort inches past the upright.
The visitors were on top in the opening stages of the second half and deservedly equalised in the 53rd minute when Robbie Spence struck a magnificent volley from 20 yards into the top corner past a helpless Matty Cooper.
Town skipper Amar Purewal broke clear in the 65th minute but fired wide with just Cooper to beat and then a thunderous drive by Sean Reid was brilliantly tipped over by the home keeper.
Trafford battled gamely to gain the upper hand and after their appeals for a penalty following a trip on Ollie Ford fell on deaf ears, substitute Mike Burke was desperately unlucky to see his glancing near post header cleared off the line by Joe Walton.
Disaster struck for Trafford in the 86th minute when a curling shot by Arron Thompson was parried by Cooper, the ball falling invitingly to Tom Devitt who swept it home from ten yards.
Trafford stormed forward in search of the equaliser and a stunning drive from fully 30 yards by Matty Barlow cannoned back into play off the left hand post to the anguish of the home support.
And with the experienced North Easterners controlling the closing minutes, the final whistle arrived to signal a tremendously disappointing result for the young Trafford side who must now pick themselves up for Saturday’s home clash with Kidsgrove Athletic, kick off 3 p.m.