There was a smile at the end of the game from St Albans City manager David Noble but that was partly shock - as he watched his side almost throw away three points.

The opening day of the National League South season saw Saints win 2-1 at home to Weymouth but from cruising at 2-0 after an hour, they were almost pegged back.

And had it not been for a penalty save by goalkeeper Michael Johnson 10 minutes from time, they would have left Clarence Park with just a point.

"I’m delighted with the win but my heart was pumping too much towards the end," said Noble. 

"We made real hard work of something that didn’t need to be.

"We went 2-0 up and looked to be cruising and then went to pot. 

"We kept giving the ball away and stopped trying to do the things that had got us to that position in the first place. 

"And I don’t know why. That’s what we’ve been trying to work out. 

"They should have gone on and enjoyed [the final 30 minutes]. Weymouth looked resigned to defeat but because we kept giving them the ball, it gave them a lift. 

"And they made it difficult for us in the end. We were hanging on by our fingernails." 

Herts Advertiser: Ryan Blackman saw his penalty saved. Picture: SACFCRyan Blackman saw his penalty saved. Picture: SACFC (Image: St Albans City Football Club)

Dylan Fage had put them ahead on 35 minutes and Gio Rasulo made it two, reacting quickest after a Ryan Blackman penalty had been saved.

Tom Bearwish got the Weymouth goal and then had his penalty saved.

Saints go to Yeovil Town on Saturday.