St Albans City conceded four for the second consecutive away game as their poor run continued in the Suffolk gloom with a 4-0 defeat to Lowestoft Town.

Saints were hoping a good run in the FA Trophy would ignite confidence, not only pushing them towards Wembley, but also helping to propel the club away from the relegation places in the Vanarama National South.

However, despite holding their National North hosts for most of the first half, a goal by Jake Reed on the stroke of half-time put them 1-0 down.

And any hopes of a comeback disappeared early in the second half when James Comley saw red.

Jack Ainsley scored the resulting penalty, before Lowestoft ran away with it.

Danny Crow made it three and Bradley Woods-Garness hit the fourth to put The Trawlerboys into the first round.

The defeat is City’s third in the last eight days, in which they have conceded 11 goals.

Next up is a trip to Oxhey Jets on Tuesday in the Herts Senior Cup before fellow strugglers Margate come to Clarence Park next week.