Brooks opener not enough as Rebels beaten at Truro

Slough are beaten at promotion-chasing Truro, despite taking the lead through Kyle Brooks in the first half.

Slough Town were beaten by promotion-chasing Truro City on Tuesday evening, despite taking the lead through Kyle Brooks in the first half at the Truro City Stadium.

The Rebels weathered a sustained spell of early pressure before Brooks put Steve McKimm's side ahead in the 23rd minute, but three second-half goals turned the match in the hosts' favour.

Tom Tweedy levelled shortly after the restart before Harvey Greenslade headed Truro in front, with Tyler Harvey adding a third from a corner to secure the points for the Tinners.

The result leaves Slough with four points from their opening 14 Enterprise National League South matches, while Truro move on to 27 points.

It was McKimm's second match in charge following his appointment as Slough's new Men's First Team Manager last week, and the Rebels had shown enough in the first half to give themselves a platform for a positive result on their first away assignment under the new management team.

There were two changes from Saturday's defeat to Dorking Wanderers, with Jordan Thomas and debutant Dennon Lewis coming into the starting XI in place of Keenan Quansah and Saikou Janneh.

There was also a welcome return to the matchday squad for captain Henry Ochieng, 381 days after his last appearance.

The hosts made a bright start and Killian Barrett was called upon inside the opening three minutes, making a save to deny Ben Starkie after Zac Bell had made progress down the right and found the forward.

There was further concern for Slough moments later when Barrett miscued a punch, leading to a scramble inside the penalty area. Tyler Harvey's effort was cleared off the line, while Tom Tweedy was also denied before Luke Jephcott was unable to turn the loose ball home.

Slough gradually found a foothold and created their first opening when Kyle Brooks found space inside the box, turning away from his marker before dragging his effort wide.

Truro continued to threaten from long throws, with Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bell providing a regular supply into the penalty area. Ben Starkie headed one delivery over, while Barrett was then forced into action again to deny Harvey Greenslade after Slough gave the ball away in a dangerous area.

The Rebels were able to absorb that pressure and then produced the breakthrough in the 23rd minute.

A low cross into the Truro penalty area caused confusion in the home defence and, after a claim for a foul went unheeded, Brooks reacted quickest to poke the ball home at the second attempt with the goal unguarded.

It was a composed finish after a difficult opening spell and gave Slough a lead they held into the interval.

Truro came close to an equaliser before half time when Tom Harrison rose to meet another Oxlade-Chamberlain long throw and saw his header strike the woodwork. Greenslade followed up but his effort took a deflection wide.

Joe Morrison was booked for a late challenge before Latrell Humphrey-Ewers also went into the referee's notebook shortly afterwards.

At the other end, Lewis created an opening for himself just before the break, swivelling on the edge of the box and firing a low effort which lacked the power to seriously trouble Aidan Stone.

Truro started the second half strongly and went close inside the opening two minutes when Greenslade sent an effort over the crossbar. Will Dean then fired over as the pressure increased.

The equaliser arrived in the 52nd minute. Tweedy found the net to bring Truro level and, just two minutes later, the hosts completed the turnaround.

Barrett came off his line but was beaten to the ball by Greenslade, who headed past the Slough goalkeeper to put Truro 2-1 ahead.

The two goals had arrived within around 90 seconds and completely changed the complexion of the contest after Slough had gone into half time in front.

The Rebels attempted to respond, with Lewis involved in a promising move down the right before his cross was dealt with by the Truro defence.

McKimm made his first change on the hour, bringing Saikou Janneh on for Humphrey-Ewers. Johnny Goddard was then replaced by Luke Holness in the 70th minute.

Lewis went close to an equaliser three minutes later, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Truro instead extended their advantage in the 75th minute. A corner was bundled towards goal and Tyler Harvey was able to head home his ninth goal of the campaign to make it 3-1.

Ruben Shakpoke was booked in the aftermath before Slough made a third change, with Ochieng replacing Dennis Adeniran in the 76th minute.

It was an emotional moment for the Slough captain, who returned to competitive action after more than a year out with injury.

Keenan Quansah replaced Jordan Thomas in the 82nd minute, with Jaiden Drakes-Thomas coming on for Shakpoke four minutes later for Slough's final change.

Truro also made a late change, with Jack Stretton replacing Greenslade.

Slough continued to look for a way back into the contest and came close in the closing stages when a throw-in and subsequent cross from Elijah Oladunjoye forced Stone into action.

There was one final opportunity in stoppage time. Another long throw into the Truro penalty area went almost untouched before Janneh met the loose ball and smashed an effort against the post.

It was a frustrating ending for Janneh on his return to his former club, with the woodwork denying Slough a late lifeline.

The final whistle confirmed a second successive 3-1 defeat for the Rebels, who will now look to regroup after a difficult run of results and continue the process of adapting to McKimm's new management team, with a trip to Maidstone United next up.