Truro City 1 Chelmsford City 2
THE black clouds that greeted the end of the game just about summed up the day for Truro as their fast fading hopes of mounting a great escape from relegation suffered another blow.
Second half goals by James Slabber and Kyle Vassell put the promotion-chasing Essex side 2-0 and although Joe Broad, with his first goal of the season, pulled one back in stoppage time, City slumped to their 15th Blue Square Bet South game of the season.
Yet again though City had plenty of the game and looked good going forward, but their defensive Achilles heel again cost them dearly as they conceded two sloppy goals.
In the first half, with the wind at their backs, City were the more dangerous side with Kieffer Moore and Andy Watkins proving a handful for the visitors' defence.
Both came close to giving City the lead with Ben Williams also heading over.
At the other end Slabber missed Chelmsford's best opening when he shot wide.
Truro began the second half well with Moore forcing a superb point blank save out of Chelmsford keeper Stuart Searle, while Broad shot over.
But it was the Essex side who took the lead after 53 minutes when full-back Aiden Palmer was allowed to cross from the left to give an unmarked Slabber a simple far post header for his 17th goal of the season.
It was a body blow for the home side and they went further behind after 70 minutes when Max Cornhill played in Kyle Vassell, who rounded Luke McCormick before finding the unguarded net.
Searle produced another quality save to deny Watkins with 15 minutes left but it was not until the first minute of added time that Broad opened City's account with a low drive through a crowded area.
But it was all to late, leaving a dejected City rooted on nine points and 18 points from safety.
In contrast, the win moved Chelmsford up to third.
Truro City: McCormick; Hopkinson, Ash (capt), Williams, Watts; Cooke, Martin, Broad, Afful (Hayles 71); Watkins. Moore.
Subs Not used: Wright, Hall.
Chelmsford City: Searle; Hamilton (Bridges 77), Clark (capt), Haines, Palmer; Cook, Rainford, Cornhill, Simmons (Miller 60), Slabber, Vassell (Parker 87).
Subs (not used): Welsh Corcoran.
Yellow cards: Cook, Rainford.
Half time: 0-0.
Goals: Slabber (53 ) 0-1, Vassell (70) 0-2, Broad (90 + 1) 1-2.
Referee: John Busby (Oxford).
Crowd: 421.
