EX-Trafford FC boss Graham Heathcote believes losing players to rival clubs made his job at Shawe View even harder last season.

A 2-0 defeat to basement side Belper Town brought down the curtain on a disappointing season in the Evo-Stik Premier League and ended Heathcote's short reign in charge.

Heathcote succeeded Garry Vaughan back in January when Trafford were already deep in relegation trouble and he was unable to prevent them dropping down into the Evo Stik League Division One North.

After 45 years in non-league football, 61-year-old Heathcote feels he has had enough.

He said: "I feel sorry for the people of Trafford.

"It has been a difficult season and I remember when the club was first started and I was hoping we could turn things around.

"But there was a massive upheaval of players and we could not control the movement of player to greener pastures.

"We lost five players which is half the team and we tried to bring people in but it is hard so late in the season.

"The players that played until the end of the season tried to put some pride back into the club."

On Thursday night, Trafford survived a late second half onslaught to record a fine 2-1 victory at Ramsbottom United.

Trafford edged ahead when John Pritchard's corner was headed home by centre-half Adam Jones into the bottom corner.

Ramsbottom searched for an equaliser with Jamie Rother's fierce drive rebounding off the crossbar while Kyle Hardman hit the foot of the post.

Just before half-time Jeff King doubled the visitors lead when he skipped past a defender and fired home.

Ramsbottom pulled one goal back with 20 minutes remaining but the visitors defence, marshalled by Martyn Andrews and Lewis Chambers, stood firm, and Heathcote’s side managed to hold out for their second victory in three games.

Meanwhile on Saturday against Belper, Heathcote was forced to name five teenagers in his starting 11 but unfortunately they struggled to cope with the physicality of the opposition.

Trafford almost took the lead when Belper defender Ben Turner's clearance hit his own post.

Aaron Smith forced a save out of Dan Haystead but Belper took the lead when Jonathan Williams tapped home Robert Stevenson's cross.

The hosts doubled their lead when Paul Grimes slotted past the on-coming Tom Read.