TRURO City went to the top of the National League South table with a convincing 3-0 success over previous pacesetters Ebbsfleet United at the Truro City Stadium on Saturday.

The Tinners had come from behind to see off visiting Slough Town in midweek, and boss John Askey made just one alteration as club captain Connor Riley-Lowe was fit to return as he came in for Zac Bell.

Ebbsfleet went top of the pile in midweek having seen off fellow high-flyers Maidstone United, and started well despite Tyler Harvey guiding a couple of headers wide, before a match-changing moment in the 16th minute saw midfielder James Vennings red-carded for a late lunge on Tom Tweedy.

The home side then upped the ante with keeper Will Buse having to be alert to deny Ben Starkie’s header, before a fine block from a defender denied Riley-Lowe’s rasping effort.

The Kent outfit were missing two key men in former Ghana international striker Kwesi Appiah and assist king Lennon Peake, but still fielded plenty of danger in attacking areas. They twice went close themselves as Fin Barnes’ drive was collected by home stopper Aidan Stone who was helpless in watching Ben Chapman send an effort inches past the post.

With the wind in their favour and against 10 men, Truro looked to kick on in the second half and saw Harvey crash a shot off the base of the post before he saw a free-kick saved by Buse.

Ebbsfleet thought they had taken the lead soon after, however Daniel Ogunleye was flagged for offside, and were behind on 57 minutes as Harvey lobbed Buse after a diagonal ball wasn’t dealt with.

Back came United with Ogunleye testing Stone, but they conceded a second on 70 minutes when Tom Harrison’s flick-on from a long throw went under Buse.

The third arrived eight minutes from time when Harvey slotted home a penalty after Harvey Greenslade was fouled, and Ebbsfleet’s tough day in Cornwall ended with Cameron Gdabedo being shown a second yellow card for a foul on sub Jack Stretton.

Truro assistant boss Stewart Yetton admitted it was hard work, but felt they were worthy winners.

He said: “We felt that with the wind behind us that if we kept doing the things we were doing and knocking on the door, opportunities would come, and they did.

“Sometimes you need those moments (Ebbsfleet’s disallowed goal at 0-0), but like you say it was a bit of a sliding doors moment and we then go down the other end and score. Then, I thought we were quite professional in putting the game to bed and doing things right which was important for us.”

He continued: “We know how good a team they are going forward, so we were very cautious of them catching us on the counter-attack, because when they spring on you they are good at that and have some real good attacking players. So we were nervous about that, but hopeful that we would have enough possession to carve out more chances which we had.

“We then managed to score the second from a long throw and that then gives you that bit more breathing space.”

The Tinners are back in action on Tuesday night when they host West Bromwich Albion Under 21s in Group D of the National League Cup, and that’s followed by the long trip to mid-table Folkestone Invicta on Saturday in the league (3pm).

TRURO CITY: Stone; Riley-Lowe (capt), W Dean, Harrison, Harvey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jephcott (En-Neyah, 87), Law, Greenslade (Stretton, 87), Starkie (T Dean, 87), Tweedy. Subs not used: Lavercombe (gk), Donnellan, Blake, Kinsey.