A second half hat trick from Noah Keats sparked a Truro City come back as the White Tigers came from 3-1 down to salvage a 3-3 draw at the Sports Ground.

After remaining undefeated in their first two opening preseason friendlies against Football League opposition, City headed to North Devon looking to build on those positive performances.

They started brightly with new signing Moulayne N’Diaye saw an effort go over the bar before Louis Rooney found himself one vs one but was defied by a great save from the Bideford keeper Joe Moore.

Despite dominating much of the early period, City found themselves behind after a foul from Austen Booth gifted the Robins a penalty on 25 minutes. Truro trialist Tom Stewart saved Billy Tucker's first attempt but was unable to prevent Tucker scoring from the rebound.

Things then went from bad to worse for the White Tigers nine minutes later when Sean Downing latched onto a cross and doubled the hosts lead putting them in complete control going into the break.

Truro needed a response and on 56 minutes a clever back heel by Rio Garside set Niall Thompson away whose low cross was met by Noah Keats who side footed home from six yards.

The White Tigers continued to press for the equaliser. Firstly Louis Rooney saw his shot go agonisingly wide of the post. Less than a minute later Thompson picked out James Lorenz at the back post but the young forward couldn’t force the ball home.

City were then caught with a sucker punch when a Bideford corner was whipped in onto the head of defender Toby Down, whose header was to strong for Stewart, restoring the hosts' two-goal advantage.

The new look Truro didn’t get disheartened and within five minutes had pulled another goal back. It was that man Keats again who slotted home into the top corner after being put through by a clever dummy from Stewart Yetton.

City kept battling and got their deserved equaliser with four minutes to go as Keats completed his hat-trick. Trialist Aaron Goulty beat two men out wide and perfectly picked out Keats who finished with a aplomb.

A resolute performance showing plenty of character from Truro, who remain undefeated this pre-season.

The White Tigers welcome local rivals Falmouth Town to Treyew Road on Tuesday evening.

Truro: Stewart, Thompson, Booth, Mbayo, Richards, Law, Garside, N’Diaye, Keats, Rooney, Lorenz.