City are through to the FA Trophy third qualifying round after a superb hard-earned victory against Ryman League premier division side Witham in Essex on Saturday afternoon.

A goal from top scorer Craig Duff 11 minutes from time, his 14th of the season, rewarded Steve Tully’s side for a dominant second half display and also saved Duff’s blushes after he missed a 50th minute penalty.

The breakthrough was engineered by substitute Isaac Vassell, whose excellent run and through ball allowed Duff to score, with the prospect of extra time looming large.

It was a clinical finish by Duff, in stark contrast to his spot kick, which he blasted over the bar after Witham keeper Martyn Guest had been sent off for bringing him down.

Indeed it was a mixed day for Duff, who had what looked a perfectly good goal wiped out in the 20th minute for an offside decision despite the fact that there was a Witham defender standing on the goal-line.

City’s starting line-up showed four changes from that which earned a 2-0 league win at St Neots Town last week.

Barry Hayles, Jake Ash and Ed Palmer were all suspended, while Jamie Lowry caused a surprise by leaving the club on Friday to rejoin Godolphin Atlantic.

Tully said: "Jamie left because he needed weekends to go up north where his dad's family is based.

"We are disappointed but we will replace him."

Tully brought himself back into the defence in a sweeping role, and also handed a senior debut to Myles James at left wing back, while Ryan Brett and Cody Cooke came in after being substitutes last week.

City started well but they were knocked off course a little by the disallowed goal, and Witham had their best spell of the tie in the 20 minutes leading up to half-time.

But City came out in the second half in determined mood, stepping up the pressure and earning themselves a penalty five minutes in as Duff was sent crashing by the Witham keeper, who was shown a red card.

Duff missed the penalty but City continued to pour forward against the now ten men of Witham, who seemed to tire quite badly on the boggy surface as the game wore on.

And it was no surprise when Duff provided the finish which sent City through.

Tully said: “We dug out a very good result. We played okay but the conditions were tough, a very heavy pitch didn’t make it easy to play the way we like to play.

“But that’s five clean sheets in the last six games and we are getting ourselves into a nice rhythm.”

City are back in cup action on Tuesday night when they travel to Bridgwater in the Red Insure Cup.

City: Burns, Tully, James (Afful 63), White, Farkins, Pugh, Green (c), Brett, Wright, Cooke (Parker 86), Duff. (Vassell 69)

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Late goal sinks town in fa trophy

After a long pitch inspection the referee declared the game could go on, so we had a scrappy game in the muddy conditions ,just edged by Truro.

They dominated the first half with Cody Cooke hitting the side netting early in the game , and with Witham keeper Martyn Guest making good saves from Ryan Brett and Craig Duff.

Witham's best efforts came in a good spelll just before half time , when, after a good run through the city defence, Ellis Brown shot wide and Conor Mead shot over.

ht 0.0

There was a dramatic start to the second half when Martyn Guest was sent off with a straight red when hauling down Duff. Craig Duff took the resulting penalty and blasted the ball way over the cross bar ,like they do at Twickenham and bought a chorus of sweet chariots from the home supporters. Paul King took over the keepers shirt for a while but then sub keeper Brad King eventually took over. Now down to ten men this seemed to inspire Witham and they played well, but after some good attacking moves could not find the finishing shot on target and the visiting keeper Charlie Burns had an easy afternoon. The all important goal came in the 88th minute when Brad King, who had previously made a couple of good saves palmed the ball to Duff who forced the ball over the line near the far post.

Witham never gave up and were still attacking in time added on and the pitch held up well.

We wish Truro City FC good luck in the next round.

gv.