CHELMSFORD City’s two-match winning run was halted by 10-man Truro on Saturday but caretaker manager Kevin Maher was still upbeat.

Craig Duff’s second half header was enough for fifth-placed Truro to get a 1-0 win in the National League South clash.

But Maher heads into Saturday’s home match against Maidenhead in a positive frame of mind.

“I think we have shown that we can compete with everyone in the league at the minute,” the caretaker boss said.

“It shows how far we've come that we're disappointed to come to Truro and not get a result.

“It's going to be a tough one against Maidenhead but at this stage of the season everyone is beating everyone, and there's no reason why we shouldn't go and get a win."

Both Truro and Chelmsford were guilty of not taking their chances before Duff scored with a close-range header from a corner in the 68th minute.

The Clarets received a boost in the 80th minute when Aaron Bentley was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for dissent but City were unable to find an equaliser.

They slipped to 15th in the table and are now three points above the relegation zone.

“I'm bitterly disappointed really because I think we were more than good value for at least a point,” added Maher.

“I can't fault the players for their performance again today. We more than matched a team that's on a brilliant run.

“We were playing with a lot of confidence and I think we were probably the better team throughout. We just switched off at one set piece and that's killed us.”