AFC Hornchurch 1 Truro City 2
Second half goals by Stewart Yetton and Andy Watkins were enough to give City only their third away Blue Square Bet South win of the season.
It was not a classic performance by the already relegated visitors in difficult conditions, but they dug deep to take the points against the struggling home side who had to play for 55 minutes with only ten men after the influential Lewis Smith saw red for a lunging tackle on Barry Hayles.
City also missed a penalty when Marcus Martin saw his spot kicked saved by home keeper Joe Woolley, as was the follow up effort from Hayles.
City boss Lee Hodges made two changes to his starting line up with Paul Hider given special dispensation to return in goal in place of the unwell Luke Payne, while Martin Watts started at left back, with Ben Williams dropping to the bench.
In the first half against the wind City were up against it and rode their luck with Hider make two crucial "one on one" saves from Wayne Gray to keep his side on level terms, while Smith also hit the bar.
But City's cause was helped ten minutes before half time with Smith's dismissal as he teams went in 0-0 at half time.
And it took City less than a minute after the restart to take the lead with Yetton scoring for the third successive game, heading home at the far post from a Hayles left wing cross.
But the visitors' advantage was shortlived as City failed to clear an Alex Bentley cross and Joe May volleyed home from 12 yards.
As the game became stretched, both sides had chances with the home side hitting the bar through Chris Bourne.
But it was City who scored what proved to be the winner after 64 minutes when Watkins pounced after Hornchurch failed to deal with a corner.
City should then have made the game safe when Les Afful was pulled back just inside the box but Martin, playing his last game of the season before starting a four match ban, could not beat Woolley who also denied Hayles from the rebound.
It ensured a nervous finale for the visitors, but they held firm to make the long trip back from Essex a lot more enjoyable.
Hodges said: "It was a battling performance and everyone contributed. It was nice to give the fans who made the long trip up something to sing about."
City: Hider; Ash, Gerring, Kendall, Watts; Afful, Martin (Broad 80), Yetton, Copp (Cooke h-t); Watkins, Hayles. Subs (not used): Hodges, Williams.
