St Albans City joint manager James Gray is wary of the threat Truro City will pose when they travel to Clarence Park on Saturday.

When the teams last met City recorded their biggest victory of the season, 7-3, and seven different players’ names were on the scoresheet. The league table would also suggest Saints are in for an easy win with Truro sitting in the bottom six and City pushing for promotion.

Not so says Gray.

“We had our biggest win at their place but I expect a tougher test this time around; they had a good win [2-1 against Burnham] on Tuesday as well,” he said.

“We have got to be better than we have been recently. I was disappointed with the goal we conceded against Redditch; we need to be more alert than that. If we play with pace we can catch teams cold, just like Redditch did to us.”

He added: “The performances of late haven’t been great but we’ve been picking up results; that’s the important thing.”

Left-back Lee Chappell recently said first meeting between the sides was when City started to click as a team, an assessment Gray agreed with.

“The game at their place was the start of the season. It galvanised us after an indifferent start due to all the new players we brought in.

“It was a long trip and we stayed in a hotel which gave the players a chance to get to know each other on a personal level, not just a football level. And it showed in the performance; it was a comfortable win.”

If City are to beat Truro they will need to be clinical in front of goal, a task made all the more difficult with John Frendo set to start a three-match ban on Saturday.

Elliot Bailey is one player in the frame to take Frendo’s place after coming off the bench to score an 86th minute match-winner against Redditch.

“I think we can get by without him,” the 18-year-old told the Herts Ad.

“We have relied on him so without him you’ll see other people come to the plate. This team will get better from him being out and when he is back everyone will be flying.”

Gray continued: “Frendo is a massive loss but Ell scored a good goal against Redditch so his confidence will be up and he’ll be up for a start against Truro.

“He’s a natural goalscorer and hopefully he can fill Frendo’s boots.”

City were scheduled to face Biggleswade Town at the Carlsberg Stadium on Tuesday night but the pitch failed a 4pm inspection due to standing water. The repercussions of the cancellation means Frendo will miss the game against play-off contenders Stourbridge on Saturday, March 8.