James Champion’s double for St. Albans’ 1sts was not enough to beat Peterborough at home in an eight-goal thriller in the East men’s League.

Captain Matt Davey gave the Tangerines an early lead but the away side equalised soon after and then took the lead just before half time in deserved fashion.

Champion levelled proceedings just after the interval before Mark Lowden’s penalty flick made it 3-2 for the hosts but the away responded soon after with a flick of their own.

St Albans looked to have secured the win when Champion grabbed his second but City snatched a last gasp equaliser to break the Tangerines’ hearts.

“I was very happy how we went forward with the ball. There are some real positives but our defence and indiscipline was disappointing,” said St Albans Head Coach Andy Halliday.

Four points and two places separated the two teams but both sides appeared to be evenly matched with a goal apiece from skipper Davey and the away side’s tricky winger in the game’s opening salvos.

Heroic defending from the 6th and 8th placed teams kept both side’s attacks at bay for much of the first period but Peterborough’s clinical edge gave them a deserved half time lead.

St Albans equalised straight away after the interval through Champion and soon after they were riding on a crest of momentum when they took the lead through a Lowden penalty stroke.

Despite being pegged back once more Champion looked to have won the game with an opportunistic finish in the last 15 minutes.

The home side struggled to contain the onrushing visitors, after going down to 10 men, and despite being roared on by a vocal home support, including St Albans Mayor Councillor Geoff Harrison, Peterborough snatched a last gasp equaliser to end an exhilarating game.