Match report by Rhod Mitchell

Arlesey Town 2 Truro City 3

City had to come from behind, before making it six wins out of seven in the Evo-Stick Southern League premier division, as they overcame the determined challenge of the Bedfordshire strugglers.

Goals from Matt Wright, a first of the season from skipper Jake Ash and Cody Cooke clinched the points for City, as their promotion challenge gathered pace. The win moved City one place up to the table to seventh just three points off top spot.

It was not one of their better performances of the season, but they will take the three points in what looks like being a very tight race for promotion, with just five points separating the top eight teams.

And manager Steve Tully admitted they had "won ugly".

He said: "We had to dig in and grind out a result. We did not play very well and that includes me, I was poor.

"When you give a team down the bottom a goal start it always makes it difficult, but I am delighted with the three points. It is always a good sign if you can pick up the wins when you are not at your best."

The City team showed four changes from the one that beat Hereford United 6-0 last week.

Both Ed Palmer and ever present Rob Farkins were out suspended, while Ryan Brett (foot) was injured and top scorer Craig Duff dropped to the bench after a quiet recent spell.

In came new signings Danny Greenslade, who is on a month’s loan from Bristol Rovers, and Ben Gerring who has returned to City on a non- contract basis from Hayes and Yeading.

Manager Steve Tully also brought himself into the defence, with Cody Cooke earning a starting place after his hat-trick when he came on a sub against Hereford.

But the game did not start well for the visitors as Kim Forsythe putt the Bedfordshire side after 12 minutes.

City though were back on level terms by half time with Matt Wright heading home Dan Green’s corner after 28 minutes..

And early in the second half it was another set piece that City went 2-1 up with skipper Jake Ash heading home Greenslade’s corner from close range.

And it got better for City ten minutes when Cooke scored a third with a cracking left footed drive to take his tally to four in two matches.

But the visitors could not relax as Arlesey scored a second through Hallelujah Basmel with 25 minutes left.

However, City were not to be denied as they held on for another vital three points in their last away game of 2014.

City: Burns; Gerring, Tully, Pugh, Wright, Green, Ash, Cooke, Greenslade, Hayles, Wright.

Subs: Duff, Afful, Vassell, Thomson, Moore.

Goals: Forsythe (12) 1-0, Wright (28) 1-1, Ash (46) 1-2, Cooke (56) 1-3, Basmal (62) 2-3.

Crowd 121.
Man of the match Danny Greenslade (as nominated by Steve Tully)
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Arlesey report:

Jamie Hatch and Matt Endersby once again took charge of Arlesey Town on Saturday, the day before the club named Nick Ironton as their new manager.

They took the lead on 12 minutes through Kim Forsythe, who was brought in from Barton Rovers last week, when the striker converted from Nathan Hilaire’s cross.

Truro hit back, however, and by the hour mark they were 3-1 to the good.

Firstly an unmarked Matt Wright headed in from a corner, and then just after the break Jake Ash bundled the ball over the line from another corner though Arlesey’s players were adamant an arm had been used.

Cody Cook then cut in from the right to fire a low shot past Nick Thompson in the home goal, before Hallelujah Basmel pulled a goal back when he turned well before firing past Charlie Burns.

Forsythe thought he had pulled his side level when he fired past Burns, but his celebrations were cut short as the assistant’s flag was raised and Truro held on for a sixth win in seven games.

Next up for Arlesey Town is the trip to Burnham on Tuesday evening.

Arlesey: Thompson, Tavernier, Willett, Powell, Sage, Longdon, Hilaire, Hatch, Forsythe, Basmel (McGovern 70), Kabuye (Summerfield 83). Subs: Carr, Hackney, Charles.