SAM Nombe was the star as Oxford City staged an astonishing second-half comeback to win 3-2 away to Truro City on Saturday.

With the play-off contenders leading 2-0 at half-time, City seemed doomed to another away defeat.

But goals from Milton Keynes Dons loanee Nombe and a Matt Paterson penalty turned things around dramatically.

The stunning victory puts Mark Jones’s side seven points clear of the relegation zone.

City’s boss gave first starts to Nombe and defender Udoka Godwin-Malife in the absence of the injured Connor Stevens and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain.

City trailed after ten minutes when Truro captain Ben Gerring headed home powerfully from a corner

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors in the 19th minute.

A mix-up in defence allowed Aaron Lamont to burst clear and have time to loft an effort over keeper Craig King to make it 2-0.

City looked like clawing a goal back but Joe Ostler’s header was well saved by Truro keeper Tom McHale.

Zac McEachran, on as a substitute for the injured Rob Sinclair, was unlucky to see his effort cannon back off the bar.

King denied Truro a third goal just before half-time, when his speed off the line forced Tyler Harvey to shoot wide.

City’s revival began in the 52nd minute, when a sublime backheel from Paterson allowed Nombe to pull back for McEachran, who was fouled in the area.

Paterson beat McHale with the resultant penalty.

Eight minutes later City were level, when Freddie Grant’s pass picked out Nombe, who cut inside before curling a composed finish into the far corner.

The visitors,continued applying pressure against their stunned hosts and were rewarded in the 71st minute.

Pressure from Nombe forced a defensive mistake and the striker made the most of the opportunity to prod the ball into the bottom corner and complete the comeback.

The goal proved to be Nombe’s final meaningful involvement in the game as a heavy challenge saw him hobble off in the 78th minute.

The closing stages brought few major threats to the City goal as the combination of Frankie Musonda, Oastler and Godwin-Malife easily repelled Truro’s attacks.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Godwin-Malife, Poku, Musonda, Oastler, Nombe (Fofana 78), Fleet, Paterson, Sinclair (McEachran 23), Grant. Sub not used: Forde.

Attendance: 465.