CRAIG Murphy scored a superb goal for Congleton Town on Tuesday night to earn the Bears a point at Trafford.

Murphy scored in the 58th minute of the league clash after latching onto a through ball from Russell Payne.

However his goal was cancelled out 10 minutes later when a Trafford player scored from a free header.

Trafford were kept to a single goal by a top class display by Bears' teenage keeper Tim Mullock, who made three excellent saved in the second half in only his second game for the first team.

Tim, from Congleton, denied Trafford three minutes after Congleton had taken the lead with an outstanding diving save at the foot of the post.

Congleton went ahead when Payne broke down the right 13 minutes into the second half.

"He beat two defenders, and threaded the ball to Craig Murphy in the centre, who side-stepped two defenders before bending a shot round the keeper from 18 yards,'' said Congleton Town secretary Dave Wilcock.

"It was a superb goal, and 1-1 was a fair result, although we had a good chance in the second half when Trafford managed to clear the ball away after a scramble in the goalmouth.''

The draw followed a disappointing 4-0 defeat for Congleton at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels in the league on Saturday.

The Bears were without several players through injury and suspension, but contributed to their own downfall with defensive errors to let Stocksbridge in to score.

The away side took the lead on 20 minutes with a shot, and went two up on the stroke of half-time.

They added two more in the 67th and 75th minute, but Congleton also had their chances, the Stocksbridge keeper making three excellent saves.

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