Super City earn vital win in relegation battle

Dorchester Town 2 Truro City 3

By Rhod Mitchell, ThisIsCornwall

CITY took a massive step towards ensuring their Blue Square Bet South survival with a superb Easter Monday win at The Avenue Stadium.

Goals by Arran Pugh, Martin Gritton and Andy Watkins lifted them to 46 points - seven clear of the relegation zone with just three games left to play.

While they are not yet mathematically safe, it would take a freak set of results to put them in trouble and a win over Saturday at home to struggling Bromley would allow them to relax before their final two matches against the league's top two clubs - leaders Woking (a) and second-placed Dartford (h).

The result was even more creditable as it came after Saturday's controversial home defeat against Havant & Waterlooville.

But they shrugged off that disappointment to earn a well deserved three points in the wind and rain in Dorset.

Lee Hodges freshened his side up making four changes to his outfield line-up with Adam Kelly, Cody Cooke, Isaac Vassell and Andy Watkins starting in place of Les Afful, Joe Broad, Stewart Yetton and Barry Hayles.

He was also forced to make a change in goal after Plymouth Argyle recalled on loan keeper Ollie Chenoweth, who was on the bench in Argyle's crucial 1-0 home win over Aldershot today,
Tom Brooks, who quit City earlier this year, stepped in and did a good job as City were up against the elements in the first half.

The visitors' defence held firm and City took the lead just before half time when Dorchester keeper Nic Jones dropped a Scott Walker free-kick, giving Pugh a simple chance to score his first league goal of the season.

But after the break City seemed to lose their way and Dorchester drew level after 64 minutes through Kyle Critchell after some sloppy Truro defending.

It took City just three minutes to regain the lead with a good finish from a difficult angle by Martin Gritton.

And with 11 minutes left, a glancing header from Andy Watkins from a Walker cross gave the Tigers a crucial two goal cushion.

Dorchester did manage a stoppage time second goal through Ryan Dovell, but it came with virtually the last kick of the game leaving City to savour what could be their most important win of the season.
And manager Hodges was delighted with his side's performance in difficult conditions.

He said: "It was a fantastic team effort and we deserved the three points. I thought the players were outstanding."