TRURO City’s fine recent winning run on the road was ended by 10-man Hampton & Richmond Borough, writes Gareth Davies. 

Before they arrived on the banks of the River Thames, Paul Wotton’s side had recorded consecutive away triumphs against Weston-super-Mare, Torquay United and Dover Athletic.

And despite Hampton & Richmond having to play the majority of the second stanza a man light, after Ruaridh Donaldson was shown a straight red card, substitute Isaac Pitblado’s 78th-minute goal ensured the points remained in the capital.

Truro made two changes from the starting line-up which took to the field against Braintree Town seven days previously. Debutant Ryan Kavanagh started in midfield after joining Truro on loan from Cardiff City for the rest of the season.

Also in midfield, Adam Porter recovered from a thigh injury with both Dan Rooney and Ryan Brett dropping to the bench, where they were joined by Ollie Bray, City’s second loan acquisition this week.

After the opening exchanges were even, the Beavers took the lead after 12 minutes. Defender Dan Wishart found his way to the by-line and his brilliant cutback was hammered home by Tope Fadahunsi.

The Sutton United forward, who is currently on loan to Borough, left James Hamon with no chance as the ball found the roof of the net.

Despite City falling behind and being dominated in the possession stakes, the hosts struggled to seriously test Hamon in the City goal for the remainder of the half. Truro did have to defend corners and there were balls in the box which caused alarm, but the Cornish outfit defended well.

At the other end, Truro strike duo Tyler Harvey and Andrew Neal were well marshalled by the Beavers’ rearguard until the 35th minute when the former had City’s best chance of the half. Connor Riley-Lowe fed Neal who controlled the ball on his chest and fed Harvey, whose first time effort went narrowly wide of Adam Desbois’ right hand post.

Neal was withdrawn at the break and replaced by Bray who made an immediate impact less than 60 seconds after half-time. Riley-Lowe won the ball inside the Beavers’ box and Bray was on hand to poke home.

His first touch in a City shirt had drawn the visitors level and immediately the game’s pendulum swung towards the away side when the red mist descended on Donaldson. The Scottish left-back appeared to clash with Riley-Lowe and after both sets of players remonstrated with each other, referee Nicholas Dunn brandished a red card.

The next 15 minutes saw Truro dominate and Bray had two headed efforts that went close before the hosts were forced to clear the ball off the line twice in the same passage of play.

But Hampton gradually grew back into the game and two heroic blocks from defenders Ed Palmer and Tom Harrison kept the score level until 12 minutes from time when Pitblado rose highest to head home.

City pushed a second equaliser as time ticked down and in the dying embers, Harrison headed over but the hosts held on to record a hard-fought triumph.