Truro City continued their 100 per cent record in this season’s National League Cup with a well-deserved 1-0 win over Fulham under-21s, writes Tom Howe.

The Tinners were on the front foot for much of the contest and, though it took until the second half for the breakthrough, there was little doubt that John Askey’s side were worthy winners.

A single second stanza strike from Luke Jephcott proved the difference in front of 1,114 spectators under the Tuesday night floodlights, with the marksmen meeting a measured pass from skipper Connor Riley-Lowe 19 minutes from time.

Jephcott, who was also on target during City’s last outing in the competition – a 3-2 win over Southampton under-21s – had earlier struck the crossbar, while his side’s winning margin would surely have been higher had it not been for the inspired form of Cottagers’ goalkeeper Alfie McNally.

Boss Askey used the break from domestic action to field a much changed City side, with eight alterations from the team beaten 1-0 at home to Rochdale on Saturday.

The list included a first start in more than a year for Seidou Sanogo and a return between the sticks for last season’s ever present custodian, Dan Lavercombe.

The visitors were first to threaten inside two minutes, but Lavercombe was equal to the task, comfortably fielding a rather tame effort.

From there on in, City grew into the tie. The returning Riley-Lowe, restored to the starting XI, tested McNally with a low strike on ten minutes, before Dom Johnson-Fisher whistled the rebound narrowly wide.

City continued to build up a head of steam, forcing a succession of corners and half chances. Johnson-Fisher came closest on 19, breaking in behind and drawing a save out of McNally, while Jephcott was denied by the crossbar just before the break after a superb strike with his left foot.

Goalless at half-time, Askey’s charges emerged after the interval determined to make the most out of their upper hand.

Substitute Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain provided extra energy down the right, while Riley-Lowe remained influential, sending in a series of dangerous deliveries.

Jephcott twice went close around the hour mark, denied only by the outstanding form of McNally.

Finally however, the pressure told in the 71st minute. Riley-Lowe burst into the box and squared unselfishly for Jephcott, who tucked the ball home from close range to notch his second goal of the campaign and give City the lead their invention deserved.

With Fulham’s young side pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Truro managed the game expertly and pushed out from the back.

Riley-Lowe, alongside substitutes Sam Sanders and Zac Bell, carried a threat going forward while Ben Starkie and Lirak Hasani also impressed.

They ensured that McNally remained busy until the last, with the young buck producing a diving save in stoppage time to deny Harry Kite an injury time second.

The result sees the Tinners go top of Group C, with two wins from two, and a further home clash against Brighton under-21s to look forward to on Tuesday, October 21 (7.00 pm).

Match Facts

City: Lavercombe, Riley-Lowe, Rooney, Johnson-Fisher (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 45) Hasani, Jephcott, Sanogo (Kite, 66), Law (Sanders, 57), Kinsey (Bell, 66), Starkie, Donnellan (Dean, 57). Subs Not Used: Howard, En-Neyah

Fulham: McNally, De Jesus (Quashie, 45), Esenga, Nsasi, Amissah, Nwoko, Olyott, Gofford, Loupalo-Bi, Ridgeon,Ali Wahid (Zepa, 45). Subs not used: Kaiser, Slade, Wingate, Walters, White.

Referee: Ross Martin

Attendance: 1,114