Truro City complete first double to end poor league run (by Rhod Mitchell, West Briton)

Truro City 2 Paulton Rovers 0

City secured a crucial three points on Tuesday evening to complete their first league double of the season and bring an end to their recent poor run of form, which had seen them lose four of their last five Southern League premier division matches.

A second-half own goal by Paulton replacement keeper Brandon Barnes and a stoppage time effort from substitute Isaac Vassell were enough to give City a fifth home win of the campaign and move them up a place to seventh in the table, just three points off the play-off places.

They could even afford to miss a penalty when player-manager Steve Tully blasted his spot kick over the bar with City just 1-0 up.

It was by no means an overwhelming performance by City who however, managed to keep only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

With Arran Pugh suspended, Tully brought himself in a at sweeper in a new-look three man defence, while Barry Hayles came in for the suspended leading scorer Craig Duff.

Jake Ash also kept the captain’s armband, even though Dan Green was fit to take his place in the side with Vassal dropping to the bench.

City might have taken an early lead when Hayles could only blast over after keeper Kyle Phillips lost the ball as he tried to claim a cross.

Unfortunately for the Paulton No1 he suffered concussion in the incident and had to go off after 20 minutes, with outfield player Brandon Barnes taking over in goal and Josh Klein Davies coming on as a sub.

City also lost Ryan Brett with a twinge soon after, to be replaced by Chris Long.

The home side were rarely able to test Barnes, while at the other end Kyle Moore was equally untroubled as a a rather dull half in the windy conditions finished goalless.

But City began the second half well and went ahead after 54 minutes when the unfortunate Barnes could only punch an inswinging left wing Jamie Lowry corner into his own net.

And with 15 minutes left, City should have wrapped the match up when Mike Bryant was harshly adjudged to have brought down Matt Wright.

But Tully’s spot kick sailed well over the ball leaving a nervous finale for the home supporters on a chilly night.

Scott Brice did head over for the visitorsm but City looked reasonably secure until Vassell made sure of the win with a neat lob in the first minute of stoppage time.

Now City will be looking to build on the win at home to Cambridge City on Saturday (3pm).

TRURO CITY: Moore; Farkins, Tully, White, Green, Lowry, Ash (capt), Brett (Long 24), Afful (Cooke 88); Hayles (Vassell 67), Wright. Subs (not used): Parker, Searle.

Yellow cards: None.

PAULTON ROVERS: Phillips (Davies 20); Knowles, Flint, Williams, Brice (capt), Barnes, Walker (Paice 88), Bryant, Wilson, Davies, Gibbons. Subs (not used); Tovey, Hinder.

Yellow cards: Walker, Flint, Bryant.

Goals: Barnes (54 og) 1-0, Vassell 90+ 1 (2-0).

Referee: Marc Whaley (Plymouth).

Crowd: 252.