The White Tigers had never before reached the second round of the FA Trophy but their progress is of no surprise to anyone who has followed their fortunes over the last 18 months.
Truro City v Macclesfield Town
The FA Trophy second round
Treyew Road
3pm Saturday 16 January 2016
Former right-back Tully took charge in March 2014 and, in his first full season, guided the club back to National League South after a three-year absence. There is nothing to suggest that a second promotion is not on the cards.
Truro are hovering just outside the play-off places and held full-time leaders Ebbsfleet United to a goalless draw away from home last time out.
And while their potency in attack does not quite match up to their defence at the moment, Tully sees no reason why his side cannot frustrate National League outfit Macclesfield.
“Getting promoted last season was a big plus for the club, some players weren’t ready to step up or had reached their peak and they realised that,” said Tully, who has also played for Torquay United, Weymouth and Exeter City.
“But we’ve brought in the right type of people and we have gone on from there. We went up against Ebbsfleet last weekend, who are full-time, and we looked the fitter and stronger team, so it shows where we are at.
“As a team defensively we have been superb. We have got something stupid like eight out of 11 clean sheets in that period of games. We have struggled going the other way – scoring goals – and our top scorer has only scored four, but we have ways we can improve on that.
“It’s a great game to play this week – Macclesfield are seventh in the National League and it’s a big, big day for us. We’ve never got to this stage before and it’s a great chance, a huge game and we’re looking forward to it.”
Macclesfield also have one eye on a return to the Football League after relegation in 2012, though a run of four losses in their last seven games has halted their charge somewhat.
And while Truro will still go into the tie with the odds against them, Tully admits the underdog spirit has served his side so well this season.
“We’ve had a good run playing some good stuff and the results are coming even though we’ve massively overachieved if you compare the budgets in the league,” he added.
“The lads are really up for the challenge. We are not playing catch up in the league thanks to the result at Ebbsfleet, so it’s a good break for us.
“I played once or twice with Exeter in the FA Trophy and I’ve never really had a run in it, but it’s another positive in an exciting time for the football club.”
