Brighouse Town 1 Trafford 1

PAUL Quinn’s Brighouse Town were denied a three-point maximum as visitors Trafford snatched a share of the spoils with a dramatic injury-time penalty.

The day began well for Town as they announced the signing of Mark Betts from Curzon Ashton and, after a morning of hard work, their game got the go ahead.

It was in the balance, like so many of the home games in the area, but hard work by the Dual Seal Stadium ground staff worked and the match referee was happy with the surface. Conditions were difficult but playable as the official made the right decision.

The first half remained goalless but Town finally opened the scoring ten minutes after the break, and looked to be heading for a win until three minutes into stoppage time.

The deadlock was broken when a clearance from Town keeper Paul Hargreen was controlled and laid off by Ryan Hall to Ernest Boafo. He kept his composure as he rounded the visitors’ keeper before slotting in.

The last gasp penalty was conceded by James Pollard – earning the Town right back a yellow card – and fired past Hargreen by Jack Dorney.

Town could have climbed back into the play-off places with a win but the stalemate saw both sides drop a place in the Evo-Stik Division One North table. However, Brighouse remain two points clear of fellow promotion-chasers Trafford who have played four games more.

New signing Betts needs no introduction locally as his former clubs include Bradford Park Avenue, Farsley Celtic and Guiseley.

He was in the Curzon squad that won promotion to the National League North last season. Betts is yet to make his Town debut as he didn’t feature in Brighouse’s 16-man match day squad yesterday.