Poor City in a relegation scrap after third defeat in a row

By Rhod Mitchell

Truro City 0 Eastbourne Borough 2

City's relegation worries deepened as they suffered a third successive Blue Square Bet South defeat after giving what was probably their worst performance of the season.

The home side could easily have lost by a much bigger margin after a woeful defensive display against the East Sussex visitors who moved out of the bottom three with their first win under new manager Tommy Widdrington.

City are now just six points off the relegation zone and face a real battle to ensure their place at this level for next season.

Manager Lee Hodges said: "I was blown away by what has just happened and its one I have to take on the chin. We are in a relegation battle and have 11 cup finals left to make sure we stay up."

Ironically, the home side started the better with Andy Watkins forcing two smart saves out of on loan Brighton keeper Mitchell Walker.

City had a let off when Eastbourne hit the post but the visitors took a deserved lead ten minutes before half time when ex-Brighton striker Gary Hart out muscled Arran Pugh before hammering the ball past Ollie Chenoweth.

The home keeper then saved well from Hart after another mistake by Pugh before having no chance with Eastbourne's second half just before half time when Matt Crabb finished off some good interplay with a powerful left foot drive into the bottom corner.

In the second period a lacklustre City rarely looked like getting back into the match and Eastbourne could easily have added to their tally.

Ellis Remy hit the post for Eastbourne, while Crabb's angled shot just went wrong side of the far post after a Barry McConnell error.

Andy Watkins did have a couple of half chances for City, but it was a day to forget for the home side who next travel to play another struggling team Hampton and Richmond next Saturday.

Before the game, City captain Jake Ash laid a wreath on the seat normally occupied by season ticket Gillian Alderman from St Austell, who was killed in a car accident on the way home from City's game at Dover last month.

There was also a minute's silence in her memory.

Truro City: Chenoweth; McConnell, Adams, Pugh, Walker; Kelly (Yetton 52), Ash (capt), Broad (Martin 52), Afful (Cooke 73); Hayles, Watkins. Subs: not used: Carne.
Yellow cards: Afful (70), Yetton (89).

Eastbourne Borough: Walker; Hamilton-Omoie, Cole, Smart, Lacey, Rowe, Johnson, Anderson, Remy (Brinkhusrt 82) , Hart (Watson 82), Crabb. Subs (not used): Strevett, Baker, Banks.
Yellow cards: Crabb (11), Remy (76), Hamilton-Omoie (77).

Half time: 0-2.
Goals: Hart (35) 0-1, Crabb (43) 0-2.
Referee: Iain Parsons (Salisbury).

Crowd: 493.