CITY OF LIVERPOOL put in a spirited display but ultimately came away with defeat at Trafford on Saturday. 

The hosts went ahead after 32 minutes when Aaron Fleming coolly slotted home from close range, with the Purps aggrieved that the linesman did not flag for a forward being offside in the build-up. 

The lead didn’t last long though, as James Edgar capitalised on a defensive mistake to restore parity four minutes later, firing home left-footed after Trafford’s Harry Norris squandered possession in his own box. 

Paul McNally’s Purps pressed for the lead and could have scored when James Steele saw an effort blocked from close range, only for Trafford to go straight down the other end and score through Ryan White two minutes before half time. 

After the break Rob Worrall gave the hosts breathing space with a composed finish from close range, only for City of Liverpool sub Kev Ellison to sit a defender down before sliding home to make it 3-2.

Moments after the goal the Purps had Edgar sent off for a second bookable offence, but it was the away side pressing for an equaliser in the final stages which saw James Steele hammer the bar and Adam Hughes fire agonisingly wide.