Truro City 2 v Poole Town 2

This was the third time that Poole and Truro have met this season (Dolphins winning previous two) but this was the first time that the Dolphins had made the long trip to deepest Cornwall. Blustery conditions and a bobbly pitch hindered both top of the table sides as quality was thin on the ground from both teams and a draw was probably a fair result. That said, Truro will feel that 2 points went begging as they let a two goal lead slip in the last half hour. The first half was a pretty drab affair with neither side able to retain the ball long enough to gain any momentum. A sloppy back header from Devlin in the first couple of minutes gifted the home side a good position but they were unable to capitalise and the chance came to nothing. It was Devlin himself who went closest for Poole in the first half. Firstly a fierce shot from the edge of the box was saved low down by the home keeper and three minutes later after he had seen another shot blocked, the ball again fell to the little midfield maestro but he sliced well wide with the keeper already out of position. With the game seemingly heading for deadlock at half time, Devlin gave away a needless freekick wide on the Truro right. Palmer thumped the ball from fully 30 yards and it flew through everyone, deceiving Hutchings who had already dived to his right. Within minutes Truro doubled their lead when a corner on the left was met by Pugh at the near post who produced a cheeky back heel into the net. A flattering scoreline for Truro and a mountain to climb for a misfiring Poole side. Half time: 2-0 There was little change at the start of the second half as Poole tried to take advantage of the wind at their backs. Very quickly, Richard Gillespie and Luke Roberts were brought on for Lewis Tallack and Ben Close respectively. With the Dolphins reverting to three at the back they did look more of a threat going forwards but inevitably it produced gaps at the back which Truro tried to capitalise on. In the space of ten minutes the home side had three excellent chances to wrap the game up. A brilliant cross from the right was headed just over, a lovely counter down the right ended with a toe poke past Hutchings and wide and then the best chance of all as a Truro striker found himself in acres of space and with all the time in the world he dragged his shot wide of the Hutching’s right hand post. It would prove costly. On 67 minutes Gillespie started a move for Poole down the left and after the ball wasn’t cleared properly, it fell again to Gillespie around the penalty spot and he volleyed home to give Poole a glimmer of hope. Usual story – team in front defending and the chasing side pushing forward. Sure enough, with just seven minutes remaining a Devlin corner from the right was dropped by the keeper and Michael Walker nodded home at the far post. Relief for the Dolphins then as they escape from a tricky trip to Cornwall with the points shared. Points ground out like this could prove the difference between being Champions or play-off hopefuls. TRURO CITY (4-1-3-2); McHale; White, Pugh, Farkins, Greenslade; Ash (capt); Green, Palmer, Krac; Wright (Duff 73), Vassell (Afful 25). Subs (not used): Hayles, Brett, Sullivan. Yellow cards: Palmer, Pugh. POOLE TOWN (4-2-3-1): Hutchings; Tallack (Roberts 56), Walker, Whisken (capt), Lindsay; Pettefer, Devlin; Burbidge, Brooks, Close (Gillespie 56); Quigley. Subs (not used): Yates, Davis. Yellow cards: Walker, Whisken. Referee: Mark Derrien (Devon) Attendance: 574 Read more: http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Truro-City-forced-settle-draw-league-leaders/story-26062948-detail/story.html#ixzz3SamQ2xxI Follow us: @westbriton on Twitter | westbriton on Facebook http://www.pooletownfc.co.uk/210215-truro-city-v-poole-town/