City dominated the early stages and had two early opportunities, first with skipper Jamie Richards heading just over the bar before debutant Will Dean saw a shot pushed away by the Helston goalkeeper Jason Robertson.

After James Hamon was called into action to deny former White Tiger Neil Slateford, Truro continued to press for the opener. Harlain Mbayo had an effort cleared off the line while new loan signing Luke Jephcott was causing Steve Massey’s side a number of problems at the back.

Helston stood firm but on 35 minutes their resistance was broken as Niall Thompson found himself clean through and expertly lobbed the ball over the keeper into the net for 1-0.

Going into the second period City continued to dominate possession but just lacked that cutting edge at times.

Midfielder Rio Garside then found himself in space inside the area but was denied by a superb tackle from Ryan Beattie.

Harrison Davis and Jephcott were then both thwarted by Robertson as City desperately looked for their second. Gafaiti then smashed a header against the bar before James Ward’s rebound header again was saved by Robertson.

Gafaiti did get his goal on 84 minutes when Jephcott’s volley was blocked and he reacted first and headed home into the top corner to seal the victory.

Truro City: Hamon, Davis, Law, Gafaiti, Mbayo (Ward 78), Richards ©, Dean, Booth (Smallcombe 73), Jephcott, Garside (Rooney 68), Thompson

Words and images from Cameron Weldon