CHELMSFORD City were dealt a blow as National League South promotion rivals Truro City claimed a 2-0 victory on Saturday.

The result sees the south coast side trim fifth-placed Clarets’ advantage to just a point with two games in hand.

Ed Palmer scored the opening goal of the day on just seven minutes with the second coming midway through the second half.

Truro made the brighter start and got their reward when a powerful free-kick from Palmer flew into the net to open the scoring.

Up the other end Anthony Church’s strike was blocked by loanee Tom Owen-Evans before Scott Fenwick got in a stinging effort that brought the best out of goalkeeper Tom McHale.

It was end-to-end stuff although Clarets were the width of the goalline from getting back on terms with only the heroic defending of Ben Gerring keeping Truro ahead.

The pressure was growing on the home goal in a game that was producing some fierce challenges - six bookings in total.

After the restart McHale was called upon to make another outstanding save to keep Truro’s lead intact - Fenwick and Kudus Oyenuga left frustrated.

Sam Beasant was required to stop Niall Thompson doubling the lead with Truro’s first effort of the second half.

But Truro did double their lead when Chris Smith was adjudged to have handled inside the area and Connor Riley-Lowe stepped up to slot home and make it 2-0.

Chelmsford: Beasant, Braham-Barrett, Barnum-Bobb, Omozusi, Spillane, Smith, Miles, Church, Fenwick, Oyenuga, Johnson, Dickson, Green, Batt, Giles, Graham