Truro City hopes of gaining automatic promotion from the Zameretto Southern League premier division were severely hit on Saturday as they fell to a 3-2 defeat away at Brackley Town.

Barry Hayles scored his 12th goal of the season for City to put them 1-0 ahead after seven minutes, but headers from Tom Kemp and Francis Green put Brackley in control.

And although a penalty from Barry McConnell got City back on level terms, but more slack marking in the 85th minute allowed Brackley substitute Michael Chennells to head home the winner.

Without the injured Martin Watts, Danny Clay and Andy Watkins, City boss Lee Hodges named Jake Ash up front with Hayles, with Wayne Carlisle and Andrew Taylor taking positions up on the wing.

They attacked Brackley from the off, starting at a lively pace to try and gain the points needed to keep the pressure on leaders Salisbury.

Taylor was causing the most problems as Brackley struggled to cope with his deliveries from set-plays and and when Brackley failed to clear an inswinging corner Hayles was left with a simple finish from the edge of the six yard box.

However, the home side rallied and Francis Green almost got them back on level terms before centre back Kemp headed home a corner after 14 minutes after City had displayed their own frailties from set pieces.

Both sides had chances to take the lead before the interval with Owen Story wasting Brackley’s best chance by blazing wide when well placed.

Moments later Marcus Martin looked to have beaten the Brackley offside trap when he burst onto a long free-kick from Martin Rice, but full-back Jamie Clifton got back to make a last-ditch tackle just as the influential City midfielder looked certain to add to his 11 league goals this season.

Brackley started the second half the better side and were deservedly infront after 52 minutes. Story sent in a dangerous looking cross, which the unmarked Green headed back across goal and past the stranded Rice.

Growing in confidence down the right Story began to cause City problems. He sent in cross which saw Kemp headed just wide and then moments later another ball into the box forced Rice to save from point blank range following a good header from Green.

Truro were not without their chances though and Hayles almost drew them level with a stinging effort and then Arran Pugh should have scored after an Andrew Taylor cross had found him unmarked in the box.

As City chased the game the pressure started to mount on the home side. On 79 minutes Brackley captain Chris Willmott lunged into a challenge on Les Afful in the box, giving McConnell the opportunity to level the scores from the spot.

However, as both sides went for the win, it was Story who was to prove the thorn in City’s side again as he delivered a deep cross to the back post where former Windsor and Eton striker Michael Chennells headed home his first goal for Brackley on his home debut.