Hendon suffered a fifth consecutive defeat with a narrow 2-1 loss away at high-flying Truro City in the Southern League Premier Division South.

Early goals from James Ward and Luke Jephcott put the hosts ahead, but Hendon dug in thereon and made life difficult for their opponents. Francis Amartey pulled one back late on, but it wasn’t enough to mount a full comeback.

Only 13 players were available to make the mammoth 534-mile round-trip to Cornwall, including four teenagers plus new signing Reece Mitchell, on a dual registration from Haringey Borough.

The long journey seemed to have an effect early on as Truro raced into a two-goal lead, firstly when Ward headed home a free-kick after just five minutes and then Jephcott doubled the advantage with a simple tap-in.

Hendon improved after they had woken up but weren’t really creating anything going forward, meaning Truro still looked threatening on the attack. Luke Tingey twice made excellent blocks to keep them at bay and goalkeeper Chris Grace was also alert to make a series of saves.

There was more attacking intent about the Dons in the second period, but their first opportunity of the half was blazed over after good work from Mitchell.

Amartey then fizzed an effort just wide of the post and was then unlucky with the bounce of the ball after dispossessing a Truro defender in the area.

However, Amartey did get on the scoresheet late on when he raced onto a loose ball and showed composure to finish into the bottom corner and set up a nervy finish.

The Dons piled forward in search of an equaliser, but the final effort was hacked off the line by a Truro defender.

The result means Hendon remain second bottom of the league, but a positive second-half performance against one the league’s stand-out sides will give them hope going into tomorrow night’s game at home to Walton Casuals.