Truro City fell to their first league defeat in 10 games as they lost 1-0 away at Hednesford.

A 69th minute volley from striker Danny Quinn settled the match in favour of the Staffordshire side, but City were left feeling aggreived by a poor refereeing decision in the lead up to the goal.

Truro’s Dan Smith had been fouled, but the official who looked to have blown for a free-kick then waved play on, as City stopped and Hednesford went up the other end and scored.

It left Barry McConnell and captain Andrew Taylor furious, both of whom were booked for their protests.

City went into the match knowing that they could stretch their lead at the top of the table to 11 points as second placed Salisbury were in FA Trophy action against Wrexham.

However, they were dealt an injury blow hours before kick-off as top scorer Marcus Martin was ruled out with a shoulder injury he picked up against Hemel Hempstead last weekend.

Les Afful had also failed a late test on an ankle problem and with Barry Hayles also serving the first of his three-game suspension it left the visitors short of options up front.

They started with Andy Watkins and Stewart Yetton up front with Dan Smith looking to get forward at every opportunity on the left wing.

However it was Hednesford, who have only been beaten once at home since September, who started the brighter.

Recent signing Nick Wellecomme was first to go close as he combined with Quinn before sending a shot whistling past Martin Rice’s post.

Seven minutes later it was Truro’s turn though as striker partners Stewart Yetton and Andy Watkins combined brialliantly only to see the latter’s shot well blocked by Hednesford keeper Danny Crane.

However, for the rest of the half it remained defences on top as the City centre-back pairing of Steve Adams and Aaron Pugh continued their recent good form matched by the Hednesford duo of Decio Gomes and Cheyenne Dunkley.

Hednesford, who beat Sailisbury 3-0 at home earlier this season, then began to apply pressure on City at the start of the second half.

Chris Clements broke down the right side of the pitch before floating a cross to Quinn, whose flicked header had Rice beaten but ended up inches wide of the goal.

A dangerous City ball into the box then forced a goalmouth scramble as Yetton and Watkins looked to get a telling strike on the ball.

But it Hednesford who still looked the more likely to break the deadlock as Wellecome saw his stinging volley well saved by Rice on 58 minutes.

The home side then had the ball in the back of the net three minutes later as Ben Bailey miscued a volley past Rice, but the offside flag came to City’s rescue.

They were to be less fortunate with a decision from the officials moments later though as referee Mr Strain waved Hednesford forward, despite a foul on Smith in the middle of the park.

As a result Darren Campion deep cross from the left found Quinn unmarked in the box and he hit a superb scissor-kick volley past Rice, for his eighth goal in 11 games.

McConnell and Taylor argued City’s case but it only made matters worse as they were both booked - a decision which results in McConnell facing a one-match ban for picking up his fifth caution of the campaign. An agreived City then attacked in numbers, with defender Jake Ash coming off the bench as a make-shift forward to try and get his team back into the match.

However, is aerial prescence in the final third could not help City fashion another clear-cut chance and their unbeaten record was lost.