City back on track after early shock (by Rhod Mitchell)

Banbury Utd 1 Truro City 2

CITY had to come from behind to secure a deserved win at bottom club Banbury to consolidate third place in the Evo-Stik Southern premier division.

The victory, which came thanks to goals from Les Afful and man of the match striker Matt Wright, saw City close to within three points of leaders Poole Town, who drew 1-1 at Histon, while second-placed Weymouth also dropped two points as they were held 1-1 at home by Redditch United.

Fourth-placed Corby Town though won 2-1 at home to Chippenham thanks to a late penalty. City have still to play all three of Poole, Weymouth and Corby at home.

After two successive defeats in league and cup, City needed a win, but it was the home side who made the early running and they took the lead midway after 15 minutes when Tom Ryan scored from close range following a cross by Kynan Isaac, after the visitors failed to deal with a corner.

But City were soon back on level terms three minutes later with Shane White crossing, following a corner, for Afful to bundle the ball home.

The goal helped give City self belief and they started to take a firm grip on the match and created a number of chances before Wright headed home a White cross after 59 minutes.

City continued to control the game, but could not find a third which would have soothed any nerves, as they picked up their eighth away win of the season and their 20th in all.

And speaking after the match, City boss Steve Tully was delighted with the win ahead of this Saturday's visit of leaders Poole Town to Treyew Road.

He said: "They really came at us in the first 20 minutes and hurt us. But we showed yet again what this team is made of as the players showed great spirit and dug in. It was a great testament to them.

"After we got back to 1-1 they never looked like scoring again, though I must say the referee was poor [in his first game at this level] as the tackles flew in, he let play go on for the wrong reasons.

"We needed the win ahead of the Poole game, but there is still a lot of football to be played. I thought Matt Wright was outstanding. We were disappointed after last Saturday at Frome (City lost 1-0) and it was good to get back on track."

CITY: Moore; White, Greenslade, Ash, Farkins, Pugh, Krac, Palmer, Wright, Vassell, Afful. Subs: Brett, Duff, Green; not used: Hayles, Parker.

Yellows: Vassell, Pugh, Palmer, Ash.

Man of the Match - Matt Wright.

Crowd: 239.

Referee: Phillip Staynings (Swindon)