MALPAS boss Tommy Lloyd was 'gutted' after conceding the winner in the sixth minute of injury time in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Trafford, but still hailed his players.

'It was a brilliant game and I'm just gutted that we didn't get something out of it,' said Lloyd. 'It really hurts when you work so hard and play so well.'

High-flying Trafford took the lead in the 35th minute when a half-cleared cross was curled back into the top corner. They doubled their lead with another beauty in the second half. Again, the ball was cleared only for an unstoppable volley to go screaming back into the net.

Malpas hit back with the best goal of the game. Seventeen-year-old Roy Cardus picked up the ball on the halfway line and dribbled past four players before unleashing a superb drive into the roof of the net.

'It was one of those goals you only dream about.It was a great run but to finish it off like that was exquisite,' he said.

With less than a minute of normal time left, Lloyd was ecstatic when Malpas fluked an equaliser.

'It was lucky. Ben Briscoe had a shot that the keeper had covered but it took a wicked deflection and went in. We'd put them under pressure and deserved it,' said Lloyd.

His bubble burst when Trafford won a free-kick near the halfway line. The ball was punted forward quickly and caught the de-fence napping.

Malpas have a free weekend before hosting Cheadle the following Saturday.