TRAFFORD maintained their push for promotion to the Unibond League on Saturday with an exhilarating performance and 2-0 victory over Squires Gate at Shawe View.

That the game went ahead at all following the appalling weather during Tuesday night's game against Hyde United was a testimony to the fantastic efforts of groundsman Graham Foxall and his assistant Paul Thomas.

Trafford made light of the conditions and produced some magical football, storming ahead after just two minutes when Chris Mackay crossed from the right, Will Ahern neatly laid the ball off and Scott Metcalfe pounced to drive hard and low into the bottom corner.

The Squires almost hit back immediately with Chris Farrar blasting in a shot from 20 yards that Tom Read acrobatically pushed behind for a corner.

But it was Trafford who were the dominant force and Andy Lundy twice went close following defence splitting passes by Mackay.

Scott Barlow then shot straight at goalkeeper Bryan Yeomans before Andy Lundy rounded off a superb six-man move with a header that flew inches over the crossbar.

In the dying seconds of the first half Trafford almost doubled their lead but Scott Metcalfe's free kick from the edge of the area struck the defensive wall and looped just over.

The second period started in dramatic fashion when the visitors left winger Matty Muscroft over-ran the ball and unleashed a knee high tackle on Will Ahern that earned him an immediate red card.

Squires Gate never appeared to recover from this setback and Trafford were totally in control, playing some magnificent one touch football that was a joy to watch.

In the 50th minute Scott Barlow made a great run down the left but screwed his shot wide of the far post and shortly afterwards another incisive move ended with Will Ahern firing straight at Yeomans from close range.

Trafford were finally rewarded for their superiority in the 58th minute when yet another fluent passing combination ended with Lundy setting up Chris Mackay who struck arrow-like into the top corner from 15 yards.

Ged Kielty's young side should have added to their goal tally such was their dominance but Scott Metcalfe shot into Yeoman's arms in the 66th minute and then Harry Winter's rasping drive from 35 yards was pushed behind by the overworked visiting goalkeeper.

In the closing minutes new signing and substitute Kayde Coppin curled a great cross in from the right but Andy Lundy's shit was saved at point blank range by Yeomans.

Despite this fine victory, Trafford remain in third place in the Vodkat League as both Newcastle Town and Salford recorded victories.

On Saturday Trafford face a very difficult trip to Winsford United for a league fixture kicking off at 3pm.