Monday's First Division North action review

Curzon Ashton followed up Saturday’s 6-1 drubbing of Garforth Town with a stalemate at the Tameside Stadium against Trafford on Monday night.

It wasn't the greatest of games to warm the 155 crowd who braved the freezing temperatures, but it was two fairly evenly-matched sides trying to play decent football and going for the win.

Tony Evans thought he had put Curzon ahead in the 28th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Moments later, Trafford could have easily the lead, but Josh Ollerenshaw produced a great save with his legs to deny Liam Shipton.

Trafford's prolific marksman Michael Oates saw a speculative volley rise agonisingly over the bar, and the home side made a good end to the half with Sam Walker testing keeper Tom Read from a curling free-kick.

Momentum was being built up by Curzon in the second half as they piled men forward in search of an opening goal and Andy Watson was the latest person to go close with a header diverted back across goal but the wrong side of the post.

Scott Metcalfe started to get some joy down the left and sub’s accurate cross was met by Kristian Dennis, but he could only he head wide.

As the game drew to a close, Curzon looked most likely out of the two sides to grab that vital goal and claim three points, but there was always the chance of Trafford counter attacking with the pace that they possess.

The game could have easily been lost as the bar came to Curzon’s rescue late on - Shelton Payne drove an effort from distance and saw the ball cannon off the wordwork and away from danger.

Trafford skipped above Clitheroe into third place as a result of the point, while Curzon are now just a point off the play-off zone.