Stourbridge 1, Trafford 1

AN injury time strike from Kayelden Brown earned Stourbridge a point against lowly Trafford at Amblecote today.

The forward pounced as time ran out to claim a share of the spoils for his side in what had been a difficult encounter against their second-from-bottom visitors.

Though Gary Hackett's men will be pleased with the determination they showed to take something from the game, it was ultimately a Valentine's Day date that did more harm than good to Stour's flirtation with the Northern Premier League's play-off places.

However, from the way Stour started you wouldn't have believed it would take them until added time to finally beat keeper Thomas Read.

The Glassboys came out of the blocks with real purpose and dominated for the first 20 minutes.

After just three minutes, Drew Canavan, playing at the head of a midfield three, struck the upright with a curling effort that Read could only watch.

A half-hearted penalty appeal after more good build-up play in the 10th minute was followed nine minutes later by Canavan driving across the face of goal.

But Stour's ability to turn their territorial dominance into clear cut opportunities proved decisive.

Slowly Trafford grew into the game as the half wore on and soon held their own in the contest, mostly down to the tricky play of Astley Mulholland drifting around in attack.

Their threat on the break was demonstrated in the 13th minute when forward Chris McDonagh had a goal ruled out for offside after he'd poked the ball beyond Dean Coleman at the near post.

From then on they grew in confidence and looked to get in behind Stour's advanced full backs whenever they had the chance.

It was Trafford that finished the half the stronger when Mulholland juggled the ball out of reach of the defenders before blazing over.

It wouldn't take the visitors from Manchester long to get the breakthrough, and within the first minute of the second half they were ahead.

A slight mix up at the back between Tyrone Williams and Coleman resulted in Andrew Smart being gifted the chance to roll the ball into an unguarded net as both Stour players converged on the ball.

Williams took responsibility but could only clear the ball straight to Smart on the edge of the box.

To their credit, going behind galvanised the home side into a reaction.

From then on Trafford surrendered ground as they looked to hold on to what they had.

Time and time again Stour came forwards but failed to break through. When they did they found Read in fine form.

He rushed out to deny Brown on 54 minutes after good link up with Luke Benbow. He then saved from Benbow and substitute Junior Smikle in quick succession just after the hour mark.

It looked like the visitors would weather the storm until the game entered the third minute of added time.

Will Richards did well to keep the ball alive on the right edge of the box so that Smikle could whip in a dangerous ball to the far post.

Brown powered ahead of his marker and slotted the ball under Read to level matters.

The Glassboys, sitting in 11th place, deserve credit for the way they stuck to their task. However, it is still a result and below-par performance that leaves them with a lot to do if they are going to make up ground on those above them.

Stourbridge: Coleman, Brown, Quaynor (Smikle 45), Richards, Williams, Miles, Connolly (Morgan-Parker 56), Broadhurst (c), Benbow (Hales 73), Canavan, Knight.

Unused subs: Fitzpatrick, McPike.

Trafford: Read, Palmer, Doughty, Mason (c), Jones, Smart, Wassi, King, McDonagh (Welsh 62), McCarthy, Mulholland (Derbyshire 89).

Unused subs: Jones, Riley, Pinder.