Truro City unable to half Eastleigh's play-off charge

By Rhod Mitchell, West Briton

Truro City 1 Eastleigh 3

City gave a good account of themselves against the accomplished play-off chasing visitors before going down to their 23rd Blue Square Bet South defeat of the season.

The already relegated Cornish side were undone by two classy goals from Jai Reason and a defensive mix-up, which allowed Eastleigh substitute Craig McAllister to score a crucial second goal after City had threatened an equaliser at the start of the second half.

The home side did manage a late consolation from Stewart Yetton, his 225th City goal, but it came too late to affect the result of a game, watched by just 201 - the lowest crowd of the season at Treyew Road.

Manager Lee Hodges started with the same team that was unlucky only to draw against Eastbourne Borough on Saturday, but City quickly went a goal down when Reason scored with a stunning 30-yard effort which gave Luke Payne no chance as it flew into the top corner.

City came closest to a first half equaliser when Les Afful forced Ross Flitney into a fine save, with Marcus Martin then shooting over when the ball ran loose.

And the home side began the second half strongly, pushing the Hampshire visitors back, with Andy Watkins forcing a smart save from Flitney.

But City were then undone after 66 mintes when Paul Kendall's attempted header back to Payne lacked pace, allowing McAllister, who had just come on for Corey King, the chance to round the City keeper and find the empty net.

It was a body blow for Truro, though if skipper Jake Ash had not headed straight at Flitney from Marcus Martin's free-kick they could have got back into the match.

Instead, ten minutes from time, Reason again showed his skill with a sublime chip over a stranded Payne to make the points safe for the visitors.

There was still time for Yetton to reward City's battling efforts when he collected an attempted back pass and kept his cool to round Flitney and find the net.

It was no more than City deserved for a whole hearted display against, what manager Lee Hodges rated as the best team to visit Treyew Road this season.

Truro City: Payne; Ash (capt), Gerring, Kendall, Williams; Afful (Cooke 73), Martin, Yetton, Copp; Watkins (Broad 68), Hayles. Subs (not used): Wright, Watts, Hodges.

Eastleigh: Flitney; Nelson, Lacey, Todd, Green, King (McAllister 61), Beckwith, Southam (capt), Binns (Watkins 68), Zebroski, Reason. Subs (not used): Peacock, Fountain, Dovey.
Yellow card: Green.
Half time: 0-1
Goals: Reason (9) 0-1, McAllister (66) 0-2, Reason (80) 0-3; Yetton (75) 1-3.
Referee: Daniel Cook (Gosport).
Crowd: 201.