The sense of relief at a last-minute winner for St Albans City was obvious - just by looking at manager David Noble's face.

City looked like extending their poor record against relegation-threatened outfits when they hit the 90-minute mark tied 1-1 away to bottom of the table Concord Rangers.

Chay Cooper had fired them in front on but ex-Potters Bar man, Lewis Manor, fired the Beachboys level four minutes into the second half after a penalty conceded by Callum Adebiyi.

However, a cross from Tafari Moore was headed home by Shaun Jeffers and the 2-1 win might just have save Saints' bacon in the play-off race, keeping them sixth with three games to go.

Herts Advertiser: Shaun Jeffers gets congratulated by manager David Noble. Picture: SACFCShaun Jeffers gets congratulated by manager David Noble. Picture: SACFC (Image: St Albans City FC)

The boss said: "It was a big relief but that is what Shaun Jeffers does. 

"He could have had three but he kept going and it was an exceptional header, great cross for Tafari Moore and great movement. 

"It wasn’t one of our better performances, anyone who was here would agree, but it feels great to win. 

"We kept going even though the quality wasn’t the best. 

"But one good ball, one good bit of movement and one good header. That’s why you have to keep getting in the box and why you have to keep putting the ball in there."

For the time being, qualification for the end of season party remains in their hands, but Noble knows they have to be much better than they were at Thames Road.

He said: "We did miss a few chances, two or three golden opportunities in the first half. 

"They could have scored a couple too through our own slip-ups but going in 1-0 up at half-time, we should have known how they would come out. 

"And to concede a sloppy penalty five minutes into the second was disappointing. 

"Every game is tough now because there is something on them now. You could feel the nerves and then feel the relief when Shaun scored."