City fury after penalty decision sends them to defeat

Source ThisIsCornwall, written by Rhod Mitchell.

Truro City 0  Havant and Waterlooville 1
A controversial second half penalty condemned City to a damaging defeat as they were unable to get the win which would have effectively secured their place in the Blue Square Bet South for next season.

Referee Paul Rees harshly adjudged City right back Barry McConnell had brought down Christian Nanetti in the area and the visitors' winger hammered home the 70th minute spot-kick to give them a lead they rarely looked like surrendering.

City were incensed at the decision with their anger was exacerbated after they had strong penalty claims turned down at the start of the second half when Les Afful appeared to be tripped by Sam Pearce.

Truro manager Lee Hodges was so unhappy he did not want to talk to the media after the game for fear of landing himself in trouble.

It means that City are now only five points clear of the relegation zone with four games left to play, starting with a trip to Dorchester on Monday.

The game itself was no classic in a strong wind with plenty of aimless football by both sides.

With the wind behind them City had the better of the first half with Barry Hayles and Jake Ash forcing good saves out of Dan Thomas in the Havant goal.

Martin Gritton also headed against the post in stoppage time as the teams went in deadlocked at 0-0.
In the opening seconds of the second half Afful was caught by the leg of Pearce but referee Rees waved away City's penalty claims.

However, the Hampshire visitors then looked the more likely scorers and City had a massive let off when Nanetti hit the post after Arran Pugh had misjudged a long ball.

The game though looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw until Nanetti tumbled over from McConnell's challenge, with the City defender adamant he got the ball, and his powerful penalty gave Ollie Chenoweth no chance.

Stewart Yetton had a half chance to level but shot over and then picked up his tenth booking of the season and will be banned for two matches probably against Woking and Dartford.

City must now regroup after this disappointment and manager Hodges could well make a few changes for the Dorchester game when they will hope for better treatment from the officials.