Marine were lucky to gain a point against an impressive Trafford side regardless of taking the lead twice throughout the game. Two personal mistakes were the team’s downfall with John Shaw conceding a penalty and Matthew Cooper struggling to catch a long range effort, either side of the half time whistle.

Nevertheless, it is the Mariners' first point of the season and provides the team with a positive note to build upon with Barwell to come to Crosby this weekend.

Once again Marine started the game on the front foot with Carl Macauley’s possession football on show early on, swift passing and great movement allowed Andy Fowler and Aaron Burns shots on target but their efforts did little to trouble the away goal keeper.

The pressure applied from the Mariners brought further goalmouth action with efforts from Daniel Fearnehough and Burns who finally had the ball in the back of the net for their first goal of the season after 8 minutes.

The Mariners' fluid attacking football started at the back. A composed series of passes from defender, Andy Nicholas broke the Trafford defence as the centre half showed some magnificent vision to release Stephen Wainwright. The full back had time to pick out the on-rushing Aaron Burns at the near post who effortlessly tapped in for the first goal of the game.

Trafford striker, Michael Oates spurned a glorious chance after 15 minutes when put through one on one with Matt Cooper only for the forward to attempt an audacious effort with the outside of the boot and his shot sailed wide of the post.

Trafford immediately bounced back; their range of passing down the left flank had Wainwright under pressure for a majority of the first half but the Marine defensive line stood firm. The through balls eventually took their toll when captain John Shaw gave away a penalty after 18 minutes following a challenge on Tom Schofield.

Shelton Payne was the man tasked with bringing the sides level and the winger kept his nerve to calmly stutter before placing the ball pasy the outstretched Cooper.

It was Marine who were next on the score sheet, albeit against the run of play. The home side were pinned back for a long period of time in the first half and were lucky to not be behind going in at the break. Matthew Williams will have drawn praises for his strength at the edge of the box but it was substitute Jonathan Goulding who was the architect to the second goal.

Following William’s strong hold up play the dynamic midfielder found Goulding on the edge of the box who played a genius disguised pass to find James Foley down the right hand side. The striker barely had any of the goal to aim at but managed to place the ball in off the far post to put the Mariners in control at the break.

Trafford fans didn’t have long to wait for their side to gain another equaliser. Their pressure from the first half was carried through after the break with Joe Shaw scoring from the edge of the area after Matthew Cooper failed to deal with his effort.

Cooper will have felt he should have done better as Trafford equalised for the second time, five minutes after the interval. The tame long range effort from Trafford’s Shaw should have been a routine save for the keeper but the shot was allowed to spill through his hands and into the back of the net to bring the sides level at 2-2.

Marine attempted to get back in front with their high pressing midfielders holding a high line, however it was almost detrimental when Oates found himself against Cooper following a great pass from Rory Fallon but Marine were able to get back and clear after a goal-mouth scramble for the ball.

Cooper made amends following his slip up to make a fine double save from Joe Shaw and Oates respectively with only five minutes left to play. Trafford were under pressure and were relying on swift breakaways in an attempt to gain a winning goal. The last of which fell to Shaw whose strong effort was well saved by Cooper and when the ball fell to Oates at a second attempt the Marine shotstopper was equal to keep the game teetering at 2-2.

Trafford were unlucky not to take the lead with only two minutes remaining when an effort from outside of the box deflected off Shaw and came off the outside of the post and bounced agonisingly wide.

The Mariners finished the game strongly and were the dominant force for the final 15 minutes of the game but were unable to find the winning goal. A majority of the play following their goals were spent playing direct football, giving lone striker Aaron Burns little chance at imposing himself on the away team back four before being substituted.

Nevertheless, Marine now have their first point of the season with the side hosting Barwell at the Arriva this coming Saturday. Coach Reggie McGuire was pleased following the fulltime whistle saying: “We were hopeful for the win especially after last Saturdays result. The lads battled hard, scored a very god goal I thought with great passing movement and we seemed to switch off.

“Trafford give them their due are not a bad footballing side came back in the game and they dominated us for about 20 minutes. After half time we started flat and they dominated most of the second half and after picking it up again the last 10 or 15 minutes and in the end I thought that a point was a just and fair result.”

Marine: Matt Cooper, Steve Wainwright, James Short, Andy Nicholas, John Shaw (Cap), Karl Clair (Liam Rice 74), Andy Fowler (Jonathan Goulding 34), Matty Williams, Aaron Burns (Tom Owens 86), Dan Fearnehough, James Foley.

Unused subs: Ian Latham, James Mitchison (G/K).

Trafford: Tom Read, Rees Welsh, Ben Woods (Clevon Beadle 57), Steve Mason, Nia Bayunu (Cap), Tom Schofield, Chris Palmer, Rory Fallon, Michael Oates, Joe Shaw, Shelton Payne.

Unused subs: Mark Derbyshire, Aaron Smith, Callum Jones, Sam Freaks.

Referee: Mr. Steve Rudd (Leyland); Assistants Mr. Ian Jones (Preston), Mr. Daniel Locker (Southport).

Attendance: 275.