PAULTON ROVERS 1 TRURO CITY 2

Paulton Rovers lost out to Truro City in the third round of the Red Insure (Southern League) Cup.

Rovers paid the penalty for several missed chances, hitting the bar twice and not being awarded what appeared a blatant penalty late in the second half.

In the early stages Ed Palmer thundered a powerful free kick, which was well held by Rovers keeper Kyle Phillips.

However Truro went ahead on 14 minutes when Les Afful beat the offside trap to stab the ball past Phillips.

Two minutes later veteran striker, Barry Hayles, got on the end of a knock down from Palmer to tap home and make it 2-0.

Rovers rallied and Brandon Barnes hit the post with a fierce drive and Ashley Williams failed to hit the target with his effort from the rebound. Then Barnes intercepted a cross field ball and found Darren Jefferies, whose shot was fisted away by visiting stopper, Kyle Moore.

Paulton were a different side in the second period and with better finishing should have taken this cup tie. Page set up Jefferies who hit the post, then Clayton Green's firm shot was well held by Moore. On the hour Ben Lacey broke in from the left and saw his shot blocked by Arran Pugh. Green then crossed for Page to head goalwards but the danger was cleared.

Rovers got the breakthrough they deserved on sixty seven minutes when substitute, Scott Wilson, chipped the ball over the Truro defence for Lacey to race on, round the keeper and tuck the ball home to make it 2-1.

Six minutes later Pugh appeared to blatantly handle the ball in the area, but inexplicably the referee awarded a free kick to the visitors. Jon Davies came on for Paulton and hit several goal bound efforts whilst Wilson was unlucky to his lob just go over the bar from 30 yards out.

Rovers pressed until the end but it was the Cornish side who progress to the quarter finals.

Team: Kyle Phillips, Stuart Tovey, Sam Teale, Shane Anson, Jordy Nkunga, Brandon Barnes (John Davies 74 mins), Clayton Green (Dean Evans 81 mins), Ashley Williams, Mitchell Page, Darren Jefferies (Scott Wilson 58 mins), Ben Lacey.
Sub not used: Sam Teale

Referee: Sam Allison
Assistants: Nigel Sykes / Ben Williamson

Attendance: 93

Man of the Match: Mitchell Page (Rovers)