St Albans City saw another early goal count for nothing away to Farnborough in National League South - and manager David Noble was once again despairing about his side's defending and work ethic.

Saints had taken the lead inside the first minute for the second week running, Gio Rasulo getting on the end of a Dylan Fage cross that evaded every home defender.

But by half-time Farnborough were 2-1 in front courtesy of and a Ryan Blackman own-goal and the hosts could even afford to see a second-half penalty saved by centurion Michael Johnson, making his 100th appearance for the club.

And the City boss was not impressed.

Herts Advertiser: St Albans City manager David Noble. Picture: SACFCSt Albans City manager David Noble. Picture: SACFC (Image: St Albans City Football Club)

“It was a poor performance,” said Noble. “We were very good for the first 25 to 30 minutes of the first half and maybe should have been two or three ahead.

"But we weren't and we conceded two terrible goals.

"The second is definitely going to win the most comical goal of the season and the first is just basic errors costing us.

"It seems to happen quite bit [scoring early but then losing], that we are good in spells and then we stop doing the things that were working.

"It might well be complacency or, like I keep saying, people start to think it is someone else's job.

"You have to do everything together, you have to attack as a team, you have to defend as a team and if you pass the ball, everyone has to be involved in it.

"You can't have passengers and we had too many passengers.

"There were bits that really got to me and angered me."

They are now 11th in the table and face a trip to the side directly below them on Saturday, Chippenham Town.

Noble said: "A win is always important, especially after you have lost a couple.

"You don't want to be losing three in a row so we'll have to put that right on Saturday."