Trafford edged through to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy on Saturday with another superb defensive performance that included a brilliant penalty save by Sam Booth in the 60th minute.
Karl Marginson’s side started confidently and took the lead in the 8th minute when, following a neatly worked corner from the right, centre back Jordan Fagbola neatly volleyed home at the back post.
Town were under new management following an inauspicious start to the season and battled back gamely, Sam Booth producing a fine save at point blank range to deny Michael Coulson a 22nd minute equaliser.
Damola Sotona drilled a great low cross that just evaded Mike Burke as Trafford sought a second goal but the hosts were on top as half time approached and Booth was called into action once more when he pushed an Alex Markham thunderbolt past his left hand upright.
The hosts were the dominant force for much of the second half with Nathan Dyer firing straight at Booth in the 49th minute and Freddie Allen doing likewise with a header from a right wing corner.
In the 60th minute Town poured forward once more and Trafford centre back Jack Higginbottom tripped substitute Kyle Fanning just inside the penalty area. Sam Booth then produced a magnificent save, throwing himself to his right to parry Coulson’s powerfully struck spot kick.
Manager Marginson introduced substitutes Rob Worrall and Matty Lusakueno to the action in the 64th minute and his remaining substitutes Harry Norris, Matty Morgan and Kanye Nisbett, twelve minutes later and this appeared to settle Trafford.
Matty Morgan wasted a great chance in the 78th minute when he shot high and wide instead of playing in the unmarked Matty Lusakueno and then Harry Norris just failed to connect with a free kick from the left by Rob Worrall.
Freddie Allen almost turned the ball past his own goalkeeper as Trafford dominated the closing stages and seven minutes into injury time Lusakueno curled a shot inches wide after cutting in from the left.
A minute later Kanye Nisbett spurned the best chance of all when he spooned his shot over from just ten yards with the goal at his mercy but despite these wasted opportunities, and the referee adding thirteen minutes of injury time, Trafford held out to progress to the next round.
Once again, Trafford’s victory was built on great defensive resilience and organisation with Jordan Fagbola and Jerome Wright particularly outstanding backed by some brilliant goalkeeping by Sam Booth.
However, they must now focus their attentions on the league as they face a tricky trip to play Runcorn Linnets on Saturday, kick off 3 p.m.