Squires Gate 1 Trafford 2

A TROY Hayder goal three minutes into injury time gave Trafford the points in a drab encounter at Blackpool on Saturday.

Conditions were difficult as an uneven surface and very strong wind made creative football virtually impossible but the visitors got off to the perfect start when, after just 10 minutes, Haydn Eames crossed from the left and Glyn Barker glanced a header inside the near post for his 23rd goal of the season.

The game became dominated by both defences and there was little goalmouth action until the 30th minute when Trafford goalkeeper Ayrton Fielding pulled down a home striker and Phillip Mills drove the resultant penalty into the top corner to make it 1-1.

Two minutes before half time Eames crashed in a long range effort that Steven Cielski tipped over the crossbar and Billy McCartney almost converted with a header from the corner that followed.

Within seconds of the restart Cielski parried a close range shot from Trafford midfielder Max Kisseh while at the other end Stuart Cartridge shot across the face of the goal in a rare attack by the Squires.

Roared on by their small, but vociferous, band of followers Trafford pushed forward in search of the winner and in the 74th minute Paul Ashton crossed from the left, Troy Hayder flicked on, but Glyn Barker missed the ball completely from within the six yard box.

It appeared as though the points would be shared when, in the third minute of time added on, Paul Ashton fed Troy Hayder who pivoted neatly and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from five yards.

The final whistle arrived just seconds later to signal a vital victory for Trafford as they strive for a promotion spot and a return to Unibond League football.

On Saturday Trafford entertain Atherton LR at Shawe View in another crucial North West Counties League Division One fixture, kick off 3pm.