Truro City progress after rare FA Cup victory

Truro City manager John Askey hopes his side can continue to progress in the FA Cup after getting their first win in the competition in five years.

The Tinners beat National League North side Merthyr Town 2-0 in their second qualifying round replay at the Truro Community Stadium.

It ensured a third qualifying round tie at home to Hellenic League Premier Division side Cirencester Town - the ninth-tier outfit upset Truro's National League South rivals Farnham Town with a 2-1 win in their replay on Tuesday night.

"It's a great competition and obviously the further you can go then obviously it creates a lot of interest in the football club," Askey told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We'll hopefully go as far as we possibly can and we've got a draw at home against a team who are obviously in a couple of leagues below, so it's a great opportunity to progress, but we want to take it wider."

Truro had not won an FA Cup tie since they beat Exmouth Town in the first qualifying round in the 2021-22 competition.

They needed an equaliser deep in stoppage time in Wales on Saturday to stay in the competition and Merthyr started the replay well, controlling the opening quarter of the game.

But the hosts went ahead thanks to a 25th-minute Will Dean penalty after his brother Tom had been brought down in the box.

The goal ignited Truro's confidence and Askey's side created a number of chances before Ben Starkie scored his first competitive goal for the club seven minutes after half-time to secure Askey's first FA Cup victory as Truro boss.

"The longer the game went I thought it was only going to be one winner," added Askey.

"It was good play leading up to the penalty and Tom Dean's done really well.

"Getting one in front changes the game and I think from then on we've got the momentum and they never seemed to get another foothold in the game."

But Askey was quick to warn against any complacency for Truro in the next round.

The club has made the first round proper just once in their history - back in 2017 - but while the chance to face a side three leagues below them is a good opportunity, it is one he says they cannot take lightly.

"To get drawn at home is a big plus for us," he said.

"We've got to be aware that it's a great opportunity for us, but they'll be trying to cause a cup upset, as we're hoping to do if we get further.

"If you're not at it, no matter who you play against, then you can come unstuck in the cup, but we'll enjoy tonight and then we'll think about that when it comes along."