St Albans City's performances either side of the half-time interval against Torquay United were poles apart from each other says a part-frustrated, part-pleased boss.

A first-half goal from Oliver Tomlinson was enough to give the Gulls a 1-0 win in the National League South.

It drops Saints down to 12th after four games, and the two wins and two defeats so far were replicated with the showing from the home side in each half.

"It was night and day," said David Noble about the differences of the first half to the second.

"We didn’t start right and we were way off the pace for 45 minutes but I’m leaving half pleased because the second half was more like it."

His inspirational half-time speech was more mundane than Churchillian, simply pointing out what was lacking.

Noble said: "I needed to try and give them some enthusiasm, some desire and a personality to go and affect the game. 

"That was what was missing. Everyone was letting the game pass them by and you can’t do that at any level of football or you are not going to get the result you want. 

"When Ryan Blackman came on, he showed that grit and that desire. He won a few 50-50 duels and he stamped his authority on the game. 

"Everyone else followed suit and it was a really good second-half performance that I am proud of."

There were also three changes to his starting line-up, one of the being last year's top scorer, Shaun Jeffers, who got a first start of the season, and Noble believes that he is gaining more and more knowledge about his charges as the season continues.

He said: "We had to make three changes, key players, but every game is an opportunity for people to show what they can do. 

"Every game, you are being judged and every time I watch, I am learning about people.

"I’m seeing what they can and can’t do, or what they will or won’t do."

St Albans go to Taunton Town on Saturday before hosting Bath City on Bank Holiday Monday.