Ten-man Welling United slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Truro City on Saturday, despite a battling performance.
After falling behind early on to their promotion-chasing hosts, the Wings rallied well and got themselves level through Deon Moore before the break.
But Dave Winfield’s second yellow early in the second half would make it difficult for the visitors, before Truro bagged another two to put themselves in control.
Riccardo Di Trolio’s injury-time goal was indicative of Welling’s fight and spirit on the day, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his side from making the long journey home empty handed.
The Wings made a disastrous start against the in-form side in the division, with the hosts opening the scoring with their first attack of the game.
A cross from the right was met by the head of Truro skipper Connor Riley-Lowe, nodding past Rhys Lovett for 1-0.
Despite that early setback, Welling responded well as they looked to take advantage of the windy conditions in Cornwall.
Dan Quick’s long throw into the box caused havoc with keeper Dan Lavercombe palming it as far as Anthony Grant, who fired over.
Just after the half-hour mark, the Wings got themselves level. Quick’s neat ball found the run of Moore who got into the box and kept his cool to finish nicely for his first goal in Welling colours.
It could have got even better when a glorious chance presented itself to the visitors just before the break when Scott Kashket launched a quick counter-attack.
After combining well with Gene Kennedy, he found himself denied by Lavercombe one-on-one, before Kennedy’s follow-up drew another good stop.
At the other end, Lovett was called into action as he raced out to keep out Dominic Johnson-Fisher who was trying to round the Wings’ keeper, before Welling’s defence cleared their lines.
The second half saw the home side look to take advantage of the conditions with the wind now in their favour.
And their lives were made easier early in the second half when Welling were reduced to 10 men following Winfield’s dismissal.
Already on a yellow card, the Wings’ captain was caught in a tussle with Tyler Harvey which resulted in bookings for each and Winfield, rather harshly, given his marching orders.
Somewhat inevitably, it would be ‘backs against the walls’ stuff for the away side as Truro piled on the pressure and they got their goal with 20 minutes remaining – a cross from the right was met by Harvey who headed firmly into the back of the net to restore his side’s lead.
Despite possessing the numerical advantage, as well as the wind in their favour, the hosts didn’t have it all their own way in the latter stages as the Wings continued to battle.
Maxwell Statham’s dangerous cross spun across the face of goal and narrowly evaded that killer touch to take it in and with 10 minutes left, a free-kick from wide right found its way to Riccardo Di Trolio at the back stick, but he just could not get enough on his connection to take it over the line from close range.
With five minutes left on the clock, Truro put the final nail in Welling’s coffin, somewhat against the run of play as Harvey finished low into the bottom left-hand corner for his brace.
There would still be time for the Wings to give themselves a glimmer of hope deep in injury time when Di Trolio pulled another one back, putting away a rebound from Sahid Kamara’s initial effort, but it would not be enough as the home side were left to claim the points, despite their late scare.
Truro City: Lavercombe, Bell, Riley-Lowe, En-Neyah (Neal 74), Dean, Harvey (Sanders 87), Johnson-Fisher (Palfrey 74), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jephcott, Rooney (Bates 90), Law.
Subs (not used): Kabia.
Booked: Harvey 56 (unsporting behaviour)
Goals: Riley-Lowe 2, Harvey 70, 85
Welling United: Lovett, Quick, Winfield, Burchell, Di Trolio, Grant (Kamara 74), Moore (Redfearn 65), Kennedy, Kelly, H Walker (Statham 56), Kashket (Bramble 56).
Subs (not used): Taylor-Crossdale.
Booked: Kelly 57 (unsporting behaviour).
Sent off: Winfield 52 (second bookable offence)
Goal: Moore 32, Di Trolio 90+2
Referee: Said Ouchene
Att: 1,611
