Neil Metcalfe At Clarence Park

St Albans City remain rooted in relegation trouble at the bottom of National League South after a 2-1 home loss to Dartford.

Ian Allinson had wanted St Albans City to keep picking up the points after the victory at Bath City last week – so he will be more than pleased with the 0-0 draw against Oxford City.

Two goals in three minutes were enough to send St Albans City through to the semi-final of the Herts Senior Cup against Royston Town.

Two goals in three minutes were enough to send St Albans City through to the semi-final of the Herts Senior Cup against Royston Town.

Two goals from old boy Dipo Akinyemi gave Welling United a 2-1 win and sunk St Albans City further into the National League South mire.

It was an unlikely and not exactly sparkling victory but the roar at the end of the game from the St Albans City fans after their 1-0 win over Maidstone United told you all you needed to know.

It was a match they needed to win by hook or by crook but a shambolic second half saw St Albans City surrender a half-time lead and end up with a 2-2 draw with Hungerford Town.

St Albans City recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they beat Hemel Hempstead Town 2-0 in the Boxing Day derby.

Last week’s 1-1 draw with Chelmsford will have raised the hopes among the long-suffering Saints fans of a brighter future – this week’s similar score against Hampton & Richmond Borough will be met with huge frustrations.

It says so much about what has gone on before that a point at home to Chelmsford City in a 1-1 draw may yet be seen as a defining moment in the course of St Albans City’s season.