We picked up a crucial point in Cornwall after Malachi Linton’s equaliser secured a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night versus Truro City.
The in-form forward has now scored his second goal in as many games, whilst also being handed both Man Of The Match Awards, following his goal in our 4-1 thrashing versus Aveley last weekend.
Linton was played through by Brandon Goodship with 22 minutes left to play, slotting past Dan Lavercombe to get us back into the game after Tyler Harvey’s penalty gave The Tinners the lead.
As well as the match earning us a point, it has also seen us move off the foot of the table for the first time since the start of the calendar year.
Importantly in our fight to stay in the National League South, we were able to claw our safety gap from 13 points to nine in just three days.
TRICKY START IN TRURO
Due to illness, Warren Feeney was unable to attend Tuesday’s contest, assistant Jason Matthews standing in his place.
Our evening got off to the worst possible start when, in the eyes of the referee, Truro winger Yassine En-Neyah appeared brought down inside the box.
Up stepped Tyler Harvey, who slotted past Busey to score his 16th league goal of the season, taking him to the joint-second top scorers’ spot.
But more importantly for us, we were already a goal down after just seven minutes.
We could have equalised just three minutes later, although Linton’s tight-angle strike was fired wide.
The game saw another chance from us eight minutes onwards when Goodship, a master of scoring and creating goals, found Brooklyn Genesini with a cross.
Our full-back, however, could only head onto the roof of the bar.
The threat from our players didn’t stop there, Jake McCarthy forcing a save from Lavercombe in the 24th minute, the Truro goalkeeper diving to his right to keep out the maverick midfielder’s shot.
But as the first half progressed, Truro, who had won three of their last four league games before Tuesday, struck back, first through goalscorer Harvey who fired straight at Will Buse on the turn.
The Tinners then produced a piece of one-touch football which suggested why they were only six points behind leaders Dorking Wanderers before the match, the play culminating in a chance from Billy Palfrey which ended just wide.
Their final chance before the whistle came via midfielder Dan Rooney, who missed the target from the edge of the box as we then headed down the tunnel a goal behind.
MAGIC MAL
The second half started with two close calls for both sides, the hosts’ chance coming first through Zachary Bell fired just wide of the post following a Truro transition.
But then in the 50th minute, Josh McQuoid intercepted from Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and carried the ball towards goal, just missing the target in the process.
But we continued to fight for an equaliser, as Calvin Brooks’ header flew over the crossbar one minute before the hour-mark.
Ben Greenwood then appeared to go down through on goal six minutes later, although nothing was given by the referee.
But just moments later, fortunes would be on our side.
Linton, after his earlier chance and constant fight to win every ball, was played one-on-one by Goodship and struck the ball past Lavercombe to get us back in the game.
1-1 with 22 minutes of regular time remaining – game on.
With both sides now in equal position to win the game, we would be forced to defend.
Truro broke down the pitch with 15 minutes to go, an attack which culminated in a strike from Palfrey.
It was saved by Buse, although danger wasn’t over until Brooks eventually cleared.
10 minutes later, Harvey spun the ball round but luckily fired wide.
With the game nearing its close, it was now a real backs-to-the-wall performance from us, as we saw substitute Luke Jephcott fire wide on the turn.
A minimum of six extra minutes were added, as the chance for a winner was up for grabs for either team.
The hosts had the ball, situated at the feet of Jaze Kabia who opened the scoring during our humiliating 4-1 loss at home to The Tinners earlier this season.
But luckily this time, the Irish winger lost his footing whilst striking at goal, as we left Cornwall with a vital point.
