Atherton Collieries played out a 2-2 draw at Trafford in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

David Chadwick’s Stripes started the affair the better of the two teams, but against the run of play it was Trafford who claimed the first blow.

A cross into the box was deemed offside by the Colls defence and travelling faithful, but was converted by Max Hazeldine for an opening goal amid the confusion.

It was a quickfire double as a second soon followed. Hazeldine once again proved problematic, setting up Matty Barlow with an early cross which was prodded home.

Colls’ latest signing, Mwiya Malumo, provided reinforcements for the front-line, replacing Lewis Mansell in the dying embers of the first half, and was unlucky not to convert with his first touch. The forward flicked a long ball over the onrushing Lovell, narrowly high of the Trafford goal.

Confidence was regained by the Stripes upon the resumption of the second half, and the persistence and hard work paid off as Nathan Caine duly pulled one back.

Jack Evans, pushed forward into midfield following the interval, combined with Jordan Scanlon with some very pleasing football, which was ultimately played through to Caine who fired home.

The momentum was now well and truly with the Colls and Ben Rydel delivered a stunning equaliser that was befitting of such an entertaining afternoon’s football.

Evans and Scanlon combined once more on the edge of the box, laying the ball off for Rydel and the versatile midfielder picked out the bottom corner from range.