MANAGER Steve Castle feels the crushing of promotion hopefuls Eastleigh on Saturday will give his players the belief to go on and climb the Blue Square South. The Saints were threatening a goal spree after dominating for long spells

MANAGER Steve Castle feels the crushing of promotion hopefuls Eastleigh on Saturday will give his players the belief to go on and climb the Blue Square South.

The Saints were threatening a goal spree after dominating for long spells against Havant & Waterlooville and Worcester City but had failed to make their good football count scoring just three in five games.

On Saturday the goals finally came and Castle believes the display shows what his side of capable of when they can demonstrate the clinical touch. He said: "It has been a long time coming. I am made up for the lads that have been involved. We have got to take the belief out of that result. We have had a tough home start against three of the top favourites for the league.

"I don't think there has been any lack of desire or lack of effort but when you keep getting kicked in the teeth that is the way things are going to go. The lads have taken a bit of stick from me, quite rightly and now I couldn't be more pleased for them. It is a positive reply."

Saints take on Bishop's Stortford today at Clarence Park (Tuesday) and should be opposed by former star goalkeeper Nick Eyre. Stortford swooped to land Eyre in the summer after he was released by Grays Athletic. The ex-Spurs reserve goalkeeper was a top performer for City early in the 2007/08 campaign before he lost form and was replaced by the legendary Paul Bastock.

Stortford recorded their first away win of the campaign on Saturday with a 2-0 success at Bognor Regis Town. Eyre kept a clean sheet and former Ipswich Town youngster Luke Webster scored and was named Man of the Match.

Defender Ben Martin has been named St Albans City Supporters Club Player of the Month for August. Martin has started all six league games and showed some excellent form, scoring his first of the campaign on Saturday against Eastleigh.

The 100 club promoter Bill Nicholson drew the August winners in the clubhouse after the game on Saturday. The top award of £100 went to number 39 Laura Graham, number 43 Ian Rogers picked up the £50 prize and number 25 Margaret Jenkins took the £25 prize.