Winsford United 1 Trafford 2

Blues' high-flying guests came to the Barton Stadium needing eight points from their last six games to clinch promotion, but they were relieved to escape unscathed.

For most of the second half Winsford outplayed the visitors.

A torrential downpour just before kick off turned the pitch into a mudbath, but even so Trafford began brightly and only Mark Calland's saving tackle plus a Michael Langley save one minute later kept the scores even.

Scott Barlow was the next to go close as the visitors piled on the pressure, but both his efforts missed the target.

The Winsford fans had to wait until the 20th minute for goalkeeper Tom Read to be brought into action when he saved John Bluck's 25-yard effort.

The same player was through again two minutes later but this time his clever chip cleared Read and the crossbar.

Lee Thompson, having his best game so far in a blue shirt, thought he had scored on 24 minutes but the referee ruled it out for reasons known only to himself.

As half time approached the man in the middle further enraged the home supporters when Bluck was clearly pushed as he bore down on goal but the official waved play on.

Winsford fell behind a minute after the interval.

Scott Metcalfe's free kick went through the wall and into the bottom corner. Andrew Lundy was proving a handful for Blues' defence and he was unlucky to see his 68th minute shot strike the post.

Four minutes later Winsford were level when Thompson's 30-yard blockbuster found the top corner.

From then on they dominated.

However, just when it looked as if they might take all the points poor defending gave Trafford what turned out to be the winning goal.

There seemed little danger when Lundy found himself marshalled by two defenders but he poked a toe out and his shot trickled over the line.

Star Man: Lee Thompson
Blues: Langley (GK), Calland, Duckworth, Ridler, Webster (Madin 73), Bluck, Owens, Ennion, Thompson, Connell, Kennedy (Miranda 73)
Subs not used: Mason, Callaghan
Attendance: 130