St Albans City's resurgance under David Noble was brought down to earth with a defeat away to Eastbourne Borough - and the caretaker gaffer was not overly impressed.

Jake Hutchinson, who spent last year on loan at Hitchin Town and is now on the south coast from parent club Colchester United, pounced on a Shiloh Remy cross to fire the only goal of the game on 22 minutes.

It could have been a lot worse in the first half too for Saints with Remy also hitting the post and old boy Charlie Walker having an effort tipped over by Dylan Berry.

"I was very disappointed with the first half," said Noble. "We weren’t at the races and never turned up.

"We were lucky not to go in at 2-0 or more. They’ve hit the post and Dylan has made a couple of saves. 

"They were much the better team. 

"The second half though was a performance I like to put my name to. That was more like us. 

"I hadn’t seen enough if Ben Smith to start him and that forced a formation change. 

"But his performance means there will be no hesitation to play him again."

St Albans get a free mid-week off from games now with their next match at home to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday in the second roun of the FA Trophy.

And to beat the former league club, Noble says they have to start replicate the second-half performance at Priory Lane across the whole 90 minutes.

He said: "I’m always optimistic. I’m always looking to improve and that’s what you have to do.

"If you want to be a top player then consistency is key and we are a little bit inconsistent at times. 

"That is something we have to improve on."