Arlesey Town 2 v Truro City 3

IF CITY are to fulfil their promotion dream they are not always going to be able to do it in style.
And Saturday's win at the Armadillo Stadium was a case in point, as Steve Tully's side made it four league wins in a row and a sixth in seven games.

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The victory was not a thing of beauty on a difficult pitch, but it was all about the three points as the visitors showed the grit they will need to maintain their challenge in what looks sure to be a very tight promotion race,
Every point is going to be precious and Saturday's three points in Bedfordshire were hard earned by a City side who were rarely at their best.

After conceding an early goal, it was always going to be a tough afternoon but goals from Matt Wright, a controversial first of the season from skipper Jake Ash and one from a rejuvenated Cody Cooke took the visitors over the line.
And even manager Steve Tully admitted they had "won ugly".

He said: "We had to dig in and grind out a result. We did not play very well and that includes me, I was poor.
"When you give a team down the bottom a goal start it always makes it difficult, but I am delighted with the three points. It is always a good sign if you can pick up the wins when you are not at your best."

There were two "new" faces in the City line up and four changes in all from the team that thrashed Hereford United in their previous outing.
In came on loan young Bristol Rovers left back Danny Greenslade and a more familiar face in central defender Ben Gerring, who has signed on non-contract terms from Conference South side Hayes & Yeading.
Manager Steve Tully also brought himself into the defence, with Cody Cooke earning a starting place after his hat-trick when he came on as a sub against Hereford. Both Ed Palmer and ever present Rob Farkins were out suspended, while Ryan Brett (foot) missed out through injury and top scorer Craig Duff dropped to the bench after a quiet recent spell.
City did not make an auspicious start, as a good finish by Kim Forsythe put the home side after 12 minutes, converting a cross from Nathan Hilaire.

But the visitors managed to regroup and got back on level terms by half time with Matt Wright heading home at the near post from a Dan Green corner after 28 minutes.
That was the way it stayed until half time, but at the start of the second half City got their noses in front when Ash forced Greenslade's corner over the line, though the home side were convinced a hand had been involved.

And when Cooke made it 3-1 with fine left footed low drive, to take his tally to four in two matches, it looked like it was going to be comfortable for City.
But the visitors could not relax as Arlesey scored a second through Hallelujah Basmel with 25 minutes left.

However, this City side looks like it is made of the right stuff as they held on for another vital three points in their last away game of 2014.

ARLESEY TOWN: Thompson; Tavernier, Willett, Powell, Sage, Longdon, Hilaire, Hatch, Forsythe, Basmel (McGovern 70), Kabuye (Summerfield 83). Subs (not used): Carr, Hackney, Charles.

TRURO CITY: Burns; Gerring, Tully, Pugh, Wright, Green, Ash (Thompson 82), Cooke, Greenslade, Hayles (Duff 57), Wright. Subs (not used): Afful, Vassell, Moore.
Yellow cards: None.

Goals: Forsythe (12) 1-0, Wright (28) 1-1, Ash (46) 1-2, Cooke (56) 1-3, Basmal (62) 2-3.
Crowd: 121.

Referee: D Appleby.
City man of the match (chosen by Steve Tully): Danny Greenslade.

http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Football-Arlesey-Town-v-Truro-City/story-25739134-detail/story.html