City played their hearts out to secure an unlikely yet welcome point against the odds when they proved the equal of one of the league’s form teams.

As far as away fixtures go, this was about as away as possible. The players made the trip to the west country on Friday evening, convening in the their hotel in Plymouth, some arriving as late as 11.30 following their day’s work. In terms of tough opposition, Truro had all the right credentials: four successive promotions, plenty of players with league experience and decent support which can reach over 900.

City knew they were in for a scrap from the very beginning. Breezy, sunny conditions provided the backdrop for what was to develop into a game of considerable controversy. On just five minutes, the referee Mr Gillard was to make his first contribution to the game when he over-ruled his assistant’s flag to allow Les Afful’s pass to Andy Taylor to stand even though he wasn’t up with play himself. Taylor helped himself to what might be described as a bonus goal to give the home team the lead.

For the visitors, it was back to the wall time for the next five minutes as Afful alone caused no end of problems in the City defence. Somehow, thanks to a combination of the woodwork and Zac Barrett’s customary acrobatics the score stayed as it was and gradually City found their way into the match.

When the equaliser came it was the result of a barrage of shots on the home goal. Following Adrian Cambridge’s corner the ball was rained in on goal before falling to Lee Chaffey who belted his shot against the bar, followed up the rebound and smashed it home.

Back on equal terms, City now looked to assert themselves. However, the intervention of the referee on 27 minutes redefined the game. When Dave Theobald fouled Andy Watkins as he dribbled away from the City goal, a yellow card was expected. Not so according to Mr Gillard, who presented the defender with a straight red and gave City the challenge of facing up to their hosts with ten men for the remaining hour.

City reorganised by substituting Steve Gentle in favour of Tom Pepper, leaving John Frendo to do what ever he could as a lone forward. The Lilywhites made it through to half time, emerging for the second half knowing that it would take a huge effort to keep Truro at bay.

The second forty five proved to be just as incident packed as the first, thanks in part to Mr Gillard’s contributions who contrived to dismiss Truro goal keeping coach Deba Sidhu from the bench while dealing leniently with Barrett’s handling of the ball outside of the box.

The referee aside, it was the ten men of City who were the real stars of the piece, defending resolutely throughout and when beaten, relying on Barrett to foil the Brazilian Santos Gaia who had the odd close shave in the second half and would have scored on 56 and 74 had it not been for the keeper’s brilliance.

Ten minutes from the end and Fuller was replaced by Craig Radcliffe on the left. The winger could have opened his account for City when a cross from the right found him unmarked. Opting for a near post shot when sending the ball across the keeper might have been a better option, the chance went begging. But even then the game wasn’t over, as Frendo played in Midgley for a chance for glory. It wasn’t to be but under the circumstances a draw was a fantastic result.

Unbeaten in eight in the league and looking forward to a home tie in the FA Cup on Saturday, this has been an outstanding start for the team.