But they then squandered golden chances to make the game safe after the break, allowing the Dorset visitors to come back with goals from substitute Richard Gillespie and Michael Walker to salvage a point.

Before a season's best crowd of 574 at Treyew, fourth-placed City gave a league debut to young Bodmin keeper Tom McHale, with Charlie Burns having been recalled by MK Dons and Kyle Moore unavailable.

With the advantage of the wind in the first half City enjoyed most of the possession without really creating too much in front of goal.

But they found the breakthrough two minutes before the interval when Palmer’s long range free kick deceived Poole keeper Nick Hutchings to find the net.

And it got even better in stoppage time for the home team when Pugh met Dan Green’s left wing corner at the near post to flick home for his first goal of the season.

Now the question was could they hold on in the second half against the wind?

A third goal would surely have killed the visitors off and they had chances with Afful and Matt Wright both shooting wide from great opportunities.

And they were made to pay for those misses when Poole substitute Richard Gillespie volleyed home after City failed to clear the ball midway through the half.

City sub Craig Duff headed over another good chance and then City’s leading scorer looked to be brought down in the area but the referee Derrien ruled Walker’s foul had happened just on the edge of the area, much to City's anger.

It was a crucial decision as with seven minutes left, McHale was unable to deal with a Steve Devlin corner from the right only pushing the ball into the path of Walker who headed the Poole equaliser home from close range.

The game then rather petered out as both teams settled for a point leaving the home supporters with mixed feelings.

It was an excellent performance by City but did not give them the three points they deserved.

TRURO CITY (4-1-3-2); McHale; White, Pugh, Farkins, Greenslade; Ash (capt); Green, Palmer, Krac; Wright (Duff 73), Vassell (Afful 25).

Subs (not used): Hayles, Brett, Sullivan.

Yellow cards: Palmer, Pugh.

POOLE TOWN (4-2-3-1): Hutchings; Tallack (Roberts 56), Walker, Whisken (capt), Lindsay; Pettefer, Devlin; Burbidge, Brooks, Close (Gillespie 56); Quigley. Subs (not used): Yates, Davis.

Yellow cards: Walker, Whisken.

Referee: Mark Derrien (Devon)

Attendance: 574

Man of the match: Danny Greenslade (Truro City)