Trafford 1

Kendal Town 2

A FIGHTING comeback by Kendal Town saw them recover from a goal down to triumph at play off hopefuls Trafford .

The win, which came thanks to goals from Patrick Allington and debut man Thomas Stead reignited the Mintcakes' survival hopes as they enter a crucial period of the season.

After a disappointing run of seven games without a win, Town manager Steve Edmondson revamped his starting line up with Stead and Michael Samson both making their Town bow along with Keighran Kerr who has joined the club on a loan spell from Carlisle United.

Stead, who had a brief spell with Kendal at the back end of last season, was placed in the full back position with Kerr going up front and Samson, whose clubs include Skelmersdale United and Clitheroe, partnered Seydou Bamba in the central defensive berth.

Kendal had every reason to be concerned going into the game as they faced a Trafford team who defeated them 7-2 in the reverse fixture on what was an early season night to forget for Edmondson's men.

And their fears looked to be justified when the hosts made a positive start with Lewis Walters seeing his shot blocked on the line by debutant Samson.

But Kendal began to settle and caused problems for the home team with Sean Paterson seeing his effort pushed behind by Trafford shot stopper Jonathan Mcllwaine.

Both teams battled a very strong wind which made conditions difficult with Kendal continuing to frustrate the home team with some decent periods of play in an otherwise uneventful first half

The second half followed a similar pattern until Trafford opened the scoring on 59 minutes when Walters pulled the ball back to Max Hazeldine who scored from close range.

However, the visitors were undeterred and equalised six minutes later when Allington burst through a static home defence before poking the ball past Mcllwaine in the Trafford goal.

With the game beginning to open up Trafford nearly went 2-1 up moments later when Oli Roberts struck a fine drive from 25 yards which was tipped past the upright by Mintcakes keeper Morgan Bacon.

But Kendal fired straight back and edged in front with eight minutes go following a corner from the left.

It was Stead who was the hero, leaping above a lacklustre Trafford defence to power his header into the net from close range to spark wild celebrations in the visiting camp.

It was not over yet and Trafford applied plenty of late pressure, but Kendal successfully saw out the closing stages of the game to register a priceless victory.

And with bottom side Pickering Town defeating Ossett United 3-2, they win was all the more valuable and keeps Town in with a great chance of avoiding the drop.