Connor Hall’s first-half strike proved the difference as a spirited Truro City side went down 1-0 at Brackley Town, writes Tom Howe.

Despite another disappointing scoreline, City produced a much improved performance, creating a host of opportunities and pushing their opponents all the way in search of what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Luke Jephcott and Dom Johnson-Fisher both came close before the break while, in the second half, Aidan Stone kept Truro in the game with a string of sharp saves, ensuring the contest remained in the balance until the final whistle.

The breakthrough did ultimately elude John Askey’s side on this occasion however, meaning City have now gone the best part of 300 minutes without a goal in National League competition.

Sir John made five changes to the City side beaten 4-0 at Scunthorpe United the previous Saturday, with Zac Bell, Yassine En-Neyah, Jephcott, Johnson-Fisher and Ryan Law starting from the off.

Out went the injured Tyler Harvey and Harry Kite completely, while Lirak Hasani, Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ben Starkie dropped to the bench.

A bitterly cold evening began with the hosts pressing early on, Morgan Roberts heading over Stone’s bar inside four minutes. City responded swiftly with Bell’s long throw causing problems in the Saints’ box before being hacked clear with Jephcott ready to pounce.

The Tinners stood firm in the face of some further early pressure, with Law’s important interception preventing Roberts from being slipped through. Back at the other end, City earned their first corner of the night on 18 minutes, Jephcott’s delivery carrying promise but not quite finding its mark.

Just seconds later, however, the home side were able to edged themselves in front. Hall was the man on hand to convert, leaving City with work to do. Unfazed, the visitors were quickly back on the front foot. Jephcott was pulled back for offside when well placed, before Bell’s cross-come-shot almost embarrassed goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, who was forced into a smart save to keep it out.

Johnson-Fisher’s pace before the interval lifted City again but despite a couple of half-chances, the leveller wasn’t forthcoming.

A determined Tinners came out of the blocks quickest in the second stanza, although their frustration only grew, resulting in Will Dean being cautioned for dissent. With much of their attention focused on the attacking third, City’s backline needed to remain solid and they did just that, with Stone producing a terrific reaction stop to deny Roberts just before the hour.

There was concern for Dan Rooney when he was caught late by Riccardo Calder, who was shown a yellow card, but after a few nervous moments – and with his shin pad safely reattached – the midfielder was able to continue.

Stone was called into action again moments later, reading the danger well to beat Justin Donawa to the ball and immediately set City away on another foray forward in search of the equaliser.

With time ticking away, City threw bodies forward and continued to press without ever seriously testing Maxted between the sticks for the home side. Jephcott and Riley-Lowe kept asking questions of the Saints’ defence, while Ben Starkie made a short cameo in attack before sustaining a knock mere seconds into his appearance and needing to be withdrawn.

Hasani was another Tinners change and his arrival prompted a renewed wave of Tinners interest that saw the substitute come close to catching out Maxted, who was indebted to his defence after miscuing a punch.

The former Exeter City custodian must have then had his heart in his mouth as the Kosovan’s fierce strike whistled narrowly over his crossbar as the clock ticked inside five minutes of added on time.

Rather than marching in on this occasion, the Saints were quite content to wind down the clock and did just that in the latter stages to nullify the attacking threat of a Tinners side that will hope for better fortunes when Morecambe visit The TCS for a 3.00 pm kick-off on Saturday.

Match Facts

City: Stone, Sanders, Riley-Lowe (Starkie, 82) (Oxlade-Chamberlain 85), Bell, Donnellan, Rooney, Law, Dean, En-Neyah (Hasani, 71), Johnson-Fisher, Jephcott; Subs Not Used: Kinsey, Kite, Lavercombe, Sanogo

Brackley: Maxted, Lilly, Morrison, Dean, Calder, Donawa, Hall (Hobson, 56), Price, Brown, Lowe (Waldron, 88), Roberts (Okafor, 88); Subs Not Used: Armitage, Gregory, Lyttle, Pollock,

Referee: Matt Scholes

Attendance: 762 (72 away fans)