Redditch United 0, Truro City 4

Redditch’s distant play-off hopes are now almost out of sight following this abject display against rivals Truro.

And while the scoreline may have flattered the Cornishmen, they were worthy winners against a team who managed just two shots on target all game.

Things started badly for the Reds and got progressively worse as the match went on.

There were just 29 seconds on the clock when Truro’s leading scorer Craig Duff collected the ball outside the area and then eased his way past central defenders Dan Scarr and Clayton McDonald before leaving keeper Sam Hornby on his backside and rolling the ball into the empty net.

George Carline, the only United player to shine on a bleak day for the Reds, struck the outside of the post on 15 minutes but the home side slipped further behind on the half-hour when McDonald gave away a penalty and Shane White powered the spot kick past Hornby.

The visitors threatened to add to their lead before the break with Duff having a looping header that the Redditch keeper gathered while Shane Race drilled a free-kick just wide.

Redditch came out with a bit more ambition at the start of the second half and, following a goalmouth scramble, Mor Diop was denied a goal on his home debut by City keeper Tom McHale.

But in earnest, the Truro defence were rarely threatened for the remainder of the game with White’s excellent display in front of the visitors’ backfour snuffing out any danger.

The final stages saw the arrival of three Truro substitutes and all of them combined to double their side’s lead in the closing stages.

With six minutes to go, Matt Wright’s cross from the right was turned home by Cody Cooke who managed to get in front of his marker Scarr.

Hornby then saved at the feet of Wright but was helpless to stop the third substitute, Isaac Vassell, from rounding off the scoring in injury time after running on to a through ball.

The result means the Reds have picked up just one point from their last three games and are now five points adrift of the play-offs going into the Bank Holiday Monday match with a Banbury United side fighting for survival at the foot of the table.

Redditch: Hornby 5, Jones 6, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Dinsley 7, Scarr 5, McDonald 6 (Sowe 60, 5), CARLINE 8, Loveridge 5 (Phillips 40, 5), Diop 6 (Hylton 69, 6), Sammons 6, Maye 7. Subs (not used): Baker-Richardson, Young