TWO late goals sunk a depleted Kendal Town side, who toiled valiantly against play-off hopefuls Trafford at the Pye Motors Stadium.

Mitchell Duggan and Andrew Watson broke the home fans' hearts late into Saturday's fixture, condemning the Mintcakes to 11th place in the Evo-Stik First Division North.

Kendal, who went into the game having lost 11 players due to budget cuts, fielded a youthful side.

Trafford started the game the brighter side and could have gone in front after just three minutes when a curling free kick by Aaron Burns rebounded off the post.

Kendal then looked to stamp their authority on the match and looked dangerous whenever they ventured into Trafford's final third.

The home side were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after Jordan Connerton was brought down in the box by a clumsy-looking tackle.

Both teams did their best to overcome the challenging weather conditions and remained committed to playing attacking football.

Trafford then wasted some good chances, with Burns missing an open goal before being denied by Kendal's 'keeper Will Kitchen.

Danny Wilkins and Jordan Connerton remained threatening and proceeded to string together a series of half chances, but unfortunately they were unable to convert them as the Trafford defence stood firm going into the half time break.

With the rain getting heavier in the second half, Trafford should have taken the lead yet again, with Luke Horrocks missing a free header after a well-weighted ball into the box from a free kick.

Kendal struck back and carved out a chance of their own just a few minutes later but they were denied by some last-ditch defending by the visitors.

As the game entered the last 20 minutes Trafford became stronger and Kitchen was again forced into making a good diving save to deny Aaron Burns once more.

However, Trafford's pressure finally told on 73 minutes when a poor clearance by the Town defence fell to Duggan who fired the ball into the back of the net.

Connerton looked certain to equalise but was denied by some desperate defending before, on 82 minutes, Watson headed in from close range to seal the victory for Trafford.