SOUTHGATE fell at the final hurdle after a very good cup run, writes Julian Astles.

Always hard to take losing a semi-final, but Southgate can be very proud of their efforts. Playing a very good Truro team, they held their own and fought to the last minute.

Playing on Truro City's ground was a joy for both teams and the top class pitch made for some very good football from both sides.

Putting their stuttering league form to one side, Southgate were straight into their stride and matched their hosts all over the park. Each taking turns to apply pressure. Southgate's best effort was a shot just wide from Josh Sanders after being put through with a top quality through ball from Ryan Julian.

The hosts struck on 20 minutes after a move down the right was finished well across Eliot Astles from an angle, into the bottom corner. Callum Thompson's power and pace were giving the home defence a day they won't forget for a while. He went very close to an equaliser after muscling his way through, but an awkward bounce gave a defender the extra second he needed to get a last ditch tackle in, just as the trigger was pulled.

The second half was as close, possession wise, but Southgate were finding it difficult to get past a well organised defence. The best chances coming from set pieces. Ryan Crabb's goal bound free kick was deflected just over the bar. As time went on Southgate were forced more and more forward in search of the equaliser and the game became stretched. Giving space to the hosts, who used it well, one quick break was denied by a post.

With ten minutes left Truro got a second. another quick break down the right was centred and a shot was brilliantly saved by Eliot Astles low to his right, unfortunately a striker was on hand to tap in. Southgate went for broke with three up front and despite running until the final whistle couldn't come up with a goal they deserved.

Southgate: E Astles, N Cox, A Chapman (MOM), R Crabb, M Deeble, A Kingdon, R Julian, S Smith, J Greenhalgh, J Sanders, C Thompson, A Smith, L Denne and J Rich.