Welling Utd 4 Truro City 3
The controversial red carding of City player-manager Lee Hodges, for the first time in his long career, cost Truro the chance of a famous Blue Square South victory at second-placed Welling United.
When Hodges received his marching orders just after the hour mark, City were in control at 3-1 up, after two goals from Kieffer Moore and one from Andy Watkins saw them go ahead after Loui Fazakerley had given the Kent side an eighth minute lead.
The City boss was adamant he had won the ball cleanly as the ball ran loose in the penalty area but the official thought otherwise not only awarding Welling a penalty but also dismissing Hodges.
Joe Healy converted the penalty and down to ten men City were unable to hold out as six minutes from time Ross Lafayette equalised and in stoppage time Anthony Acheampong scored the winner.
It was heartbreak for the visitors who, after a slow start, had played some of their best football of the season with Moore, now City's top scorer, striking twice to take his season's tally to nine with Watkins getting his sixth of the season.
And speaking after the game Hodges could barely hide his anger at what had happened to his side who are scrapping for survival at this level.
He said: "It is a tough one to take. We were comfortable but a shocking refereeing decision cost us.
"I won the ball and the only person in the ground who did not think I had was the referee and he said I was the last man when the ball was cleared off the line."
Hodges has asked for a copy of the match DVD before deciding whether to appeal against his red card.
He added: "I did not see the last 30 minutes of the game as I was in the changing room, but up until then we looked comfortable and capable of scoring a fourth.
"The boys are very low and it does hurt."
After Fazakerly had give Welling the early lead two quick goals by Moore (27, 33) either side of a Watkins strike (28), gave City a deserved adavantage.
But when you are at the wrong end of the table you need the breaks and on the day City could feel robbed and will now try and bounce back at home to Billericay on Saturday.
The controversial red carding of City player-manager Lee Hodges, for the first time in his long career, cost Truro the chance of a famous Blue Square South victory at second-placed Welling United.
When Hodges received his marching orders just after the hour mark, City were in control at 3-1 up, after two goals from Kieffer Moore and one from Andy Watkins saw them go ahead after Loui Fazakerley had given the Kent side an eighth minute lead.
The City boss was adamant he had won the ball cleanly as the ball ran loose in the penalty area but the official thought otherwise not only awarding Welling a penalty but also dismissing Hodges.
Joe Healy converted the penalty and down to ten men City were unable to hold out as six minutes from time Ross Lafayette equalised and in stoppage time Anthony Acheampong scored the winner.
It was heartbreak for the visitors who, after a slow start, had played some of their best football of the season with Moore, now City's top scorer, striking twice to take his season's tally to nine with Watkins getting his sixth of the season.
And speaking after the game Hodges could barely hide his anger at what had happened to his side who are scrapping for survival at this level.
He said: "It is a tough one to take. We were comfortable but a shocking refereeing decision cost us.
"I won the ball and the only person in the ground who did not think I had was the referee and he said I was the last man when the ball was cleared off the line."
Hodges has asked for a copy of the match DVD before deciding whether to appeal against his red card.
He added: "I did not see the last 30 minutes of the game as I was in the changing room, but up until then we looked comfortable and capable of scoring a fourth.
"The boys are very low and it does hurt."
After Fazakerly had give Welling the early lead two quick goals by Moore (27, 33) either side of a Watkins strike (28), gave City a deserved adavantage.
But when you are at the wrong end of the table you need the breaks and on the day City could feel robbed and will now try and bounce back at home to Billericay on Saturday.
